Bangladesh's poorest pay the price as rawhide prices crash

Bangladesh's poorest communities are bearing the brunt of a crisis in the rawhide sector, as prices for animal hides have plummeted following Eid-ul-Azha. Seasonal traders are dumping hides by roadsides and in waterways because they cannot sell them at government-fixed rates. In Gaibandha district, a large cow's hide fetched only Tk 400 to Tk 500, while goat skins were discarded entirely. This situation starkly contrasts with a decade ago when these hides represented a vital economic lifeline for rural underprivileged individuals. For many who cannot afford meat year-round, the proceeds from hide sales provided essential medicines, clothing, and basic necessities. The system facilitated grassroots wealth distribution, but the systematic collapse of rawhide prices has dismantled this centuries-old social safety net. The economic reality is stark: an animal worth over Tk 1 lakh yields a hide selling for a mere Tk 400-500, making traditional charity impossible. For families often sharing a single cow, each household's share of the hide money now amounts to just Tk 70 to Tk 100, an amount too small to offer meaningful assistance. Farmers, struggling with delayed harvests and low crop returns, are further constrained, forcing some to sacrifice with tight budgets or forgo the ritual entirely. In 2004-2005, medium-sized cow hides sold for Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,500, and large ones fetched Tk 3,000, with traders eagerly competing. Today, the enthusiasm is gone, and sellers must chase traders, often handing over hides on credit for minimal payment days later.

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a large cow’s hide barely fetched Tk 400 to Tk 500, while goat skins were entirely ignored and thrown away.