Ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha, the government today fixed the prices of the salt-applied rawhides of cows at Taka 55-60 per square foot in Dhaka and Taka 50-55 per square foot across the country.
 
In presence of State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leathergoods and Footwear Exporters Association President Mahin Ahmed announced the new rates of rawhides of the sacrificial animals at a press conference at secretariat in the city.
 
The prices of the salt-applied rawhides of cows last year were Taka 50-55 per square foot in Dhaka and Taka 45-48 per square foot across the country.
 
Meanwhile, the price of goat hide has been set at Taka 20-25 per square foot while it is Taka 18-20 per square foot of female goat hide across the country.
 
The price of goat hide in the last year was set at Taka 18-20 per square foot while it was Taka 12-14 per square foot of female goat hide across the country.
 
Mahin Ahmed said the price for salted cow rawhide has been set at Taka 1,200 per piece in Dhaka and Taka 1,000 per piece in outside Dhaka.

Speaking at the press conference, Asanul Islam Titu said traders buy hides, so it is natural that the price of leather will be determined by them.

Mentioning that the government will not set the price, Titu said the Ministry of Commerce has only assisted stakeholders in the process of determining prices.

Therefore, rawhide prices should be announced by the traders, he said.

The state minister also mentioned that the highest priority is being given to the collection of rawhide.

"Despite the demand in both domestic and international markets, rawhide prices have not been favourable in recent years. The government has taken steps to establish ETPs (Effluent Treatment Plants) in leather industrial cities to address this issue, and hopefully this will lead to a resolution," he added.