With Eid-ul-Azha approaching fast, the country's cattle trade has taken on a distinctly digital character, transforming traditional livestock markets into bustling online and offline commercial hubs. From Dhaka to remote district towns, buyers and sellers are now turning to Facebook pages, mobile apps and virtual marketplaces to buy sacrificial animals with a few taps on a smartphone.
Yet, while technology has brought convenience and expanded opportunities for farmers and consumers alike, it has also opened new doors for fraud and deception, leaving many buyers vulnerable to online scams.
Although the government has introduced online cattle market initiatives in recent years, those platforms have failed to attract widespread public confidence. Instead, privately run digital marketplaces and social media-based farms have emerged as the dominant players in the growing online Qurbani economy.
Rows of cows, goats and sheep are now showcased through livestreams, video calls and glossy photographs. Customers can compare prices, inspect animals virtually and even arrange home delivery without stepping into a crowded cattle market. For many urban residents, the online system has become the preferred option.
Ziaul Haque, a resident of Mirpur-10 in the capital, said he abandoned traditional cattle markets years ago because of overcrowding and harassment by brokers.
"For the last seven to eight years, I have been purchasing cows online from a trusted farm in Bhaluka," he said. "This year too, I booked my cattle in advance."
Online prices this year indicate a moderate rise compared to last year. Domestic cattle are currently selling at Tk 520 to Tk 610 per kilogram of live weight, while Shahiwal and Friesian breeds are being sold at Tk 380 to Tk 450 per kilogram. Goat prices are also high, with domestic goats fetching Tk 800 to Tk 900 per kilogram and hybrid ram goats priced between Tk 750 and Tk 800.
Market insiders say the increase reflects rising feed and transportation costs. Sheikh Imran Aziz, marketing head of Bengal Meat, said regular customers continue to dominate online purchases, though new buyers are joining rapidly.
"Most of our customers are based in Dhaka, but we are also receiving orders from Chattogram and Sylhet," he said.
According to the Department of Livestock Services, around 1.23 crore sacrificial animals are available this year against an estimated demand of 1.1 crore, leaving a surplus of more than 22 lakh animals. Industry insiders believe the healthy supply has reduced the need for cattle imports, offering a major boost to local farmers.
