Low rawhide prices leave the traders in ruins

The slump in the prices of rawhide of sacrificial animals has dealt a big blow to the seasonal and small traders across the country. Some traders have been forced to change occupation.

Tangail: Tanners aren’t taking rawhide

The merchants have not paid the wholesalers and seasonal traders so they are buying the hide with loaned money. However, the tanners are not taking them at the fixed price which is causing the hide to go to waste.  

The seasonal traders and wholesalers accused the tannery owners syndicate for this.

Chattogram: 30% of the rawhide go to waste

This year the merchants had only collected 70% of the set target.

Chattogram City Corporation has removed more than one lakh pieces of rotten rawhide that were abandoned on the streets after being offered meagre prices.

The greater Chattogram Rawhide Wholesaler Association President Abdul Qader said, “The wholesalers do not have cash as most Dhaka tanners do not pay in time. If the tanners had ensured us, this plummet wouldn’t have happened.”

Khulna: Sellers angry at the poor price

“I had to sell six cow rawhide for Tk 700 and seven goat rawhide only for Tk 100. With much bargain I sold 13 rawhide for only Tk 800. It isn’t even enough to pay for the transport.

“The rawhide plays a big part in running ‘Madrasa Yatim and Lillah Boarding’ which ensures meal for the students. The loss in the price of hide has created a chance for crisis,” said Headmaster of Madani Nagar Madrasa Md. Kamal Hossain.

Some buyers paid Tk 5-10 for goat rawhide whereas others refused to buy at all. Many sellers threw the hide in rivers.

Bogura: Leather traders changing their occupation

Most of the leather traders in Bogura have changed their occupation to rickshaw pulling or other labour works as the tannery owners haven’t cleared their payments for about 4 years.

According to some leather business leaders, those who have survived in this business, are also suffering due to lack of capital.

A leather businessman T A Sohel lost his hope in leather business and is now working as a night guard in Dhaka.

Joint secretary of Bogura District Leather Dealers Association Mukul Hossain said: “Traders took the risk as the raw materials of leather were sold with due cash to the tannery owners.”

Barishal: In demand to punish syndicate

Bangladesh Socialist Party Barisal district held a rally to demand punishment for the dishonest business syndicate.

Traders could not sell leather at price set by the government as like farmers could not sell paddy at price fixed by the government.