Staff Correspondent:

This year’s Eid-ul-Azha once again highlighted both the vast potential and ongoing inefficiencies of Bangladesh’s leather industry, with over 65 lakh rawhides reportedly going to waste.

While a staggering 9,136,734 animals were sacrificed across the country, only 2,526,233 hides were preserved, highlighting a substantial economic loss.

Despite government efforts, including distributing free salt and engaging religious institutions in preservation efforts, the low collection rate reflects deep-rooted issues in awareness, infrastructure, and coordination.

HUGE SACRIFICE, HUGE OPPORTUNITY – MOSTLY WASTED

According to the Department of Livestock, this year’s sacrifices included: 4,705,106 cows and buffaloes,

4,430,668 goats and sheep, and 960 other animals.

However, around 3.3 million animals remained unsold, which officials attributed to oversupply—a recurring problem during the Eid season.

RAJSHAHI TOPS IN SACRIFICES; SYLHET RECORDS THE LOWEST

Division-wise figures show Rajshahi division recorded the highest number of sacrifices at 2,324,971, followed by Dhaka (2,185,040) and Chattogram (1,753,732).

Other divisions reported the following numbers: Barishal 4,00,783, Mymensingh 3,83,162, Khulna 8,04,224, Rangpur 9,64,999 , and Sylhet  3,19,823 (lowest).

RAWHIDE COLLECTION FALLS FAR SHORT OF TARGETS

The Bangladesh Tanners Association had set a collection target of 10 to 15.5 million hides, but as of June 11, the Ministry of Commerce reported that only 2,526,233  hides had been preserved across six divisions. Even with data from Dhaka and Mymensingh pending, less than 28 pending of the minimum target has been achieved.

GOVT DISTRIBUTES FREE SALT TO AID PRESERVATION

In a bid to improve hide preservation, the interim government distributed 30,000 tonnes of salt free of cost to madrasas, orphanages, mosques, and lillah boarding houses across the country. These efforts are being overseen by district and upazila administrations, with preservation data reported to the Ministry of Commerce’s central control room.

CHATTOGRAM LEADS IN HIDE PRESERVATION

Among the six divisions reporting data, Chattogram division recorded the highest number of preserved hides – 7,74,756 – followed by other major contributors.

Rajshahi division preserved 2,87,524 pieces of rawhides, it was 3,26,794 in Khulna, 1,80,518 in Barishal,

2,81,000 in Rangpur, and 2,09,345 in Sylhet.

In Dhaka’s wholesale rawhide hub Posta in Lalbagh and the tannery zone in Savar, 4,66,296 pieces of rawhides of different animals have been preserved. Of these, 3,65,418 are cow and buffalo skins, and 20,878 are goat and sheep skins. Additionally, 80,000 cow skins have been collected at Posta.

WHY SO MUCH GOING TO WASTE?

Industry insiders and experts cite multiple reasons for the low collection: Lakhk of awareness in rural areas about hide value; poor logistics for transporting hides from remote locations; inadequate preservation infrastructure outside major urban centres; slow mobilisation of local authorities and support groups.

Despite increased government support, the current system cannot keep pace with the scale of the opportunity. As a result, millions of hides are wasted annually, undermining one of the country’s most valuable export sectors.

A SECTOR WITH UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

Bangladesh’s leather industry – once a leading foreign exchange earner – continues to lose out on billions of taka in potential exports.

Experts say properly tanned and processed hides could provide sustainable income to thousands, including underfunded madrasas and orphanages.

The government’s latest initiative is a step forward, but much more is needed in terms of training, awareness, infrastructure, and market integration to unlock the full economic and social potential of sacrificial hides.