Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has claimed rawhide prices during this Eid-ul-Azha are higher than in last year, rejecting media reports that the rates are unsustainable for seasonal traders.

Subpar rates are being applied to only semi-rotten hides, he noted while inspecting trading activities at a wholesale rawhide market in Postagola area in the capital on Sunday night.

For the Eid season, the government has fixed price for properly salted cowhides at Tk60-65 per square feet in the capital, and Tk55-60 per square feet outside the capital.

“Semi-salted or unsalted hides are being priced lower, while salted hides are getting proper prices. The government will not take the responsibility if retail traders fail to ensure salting for their products,” Sheikh Bashir Uddin noted.

He blamed the social media and mainstream media for spreading wrong information over hide prices.

However, seasonal retail traders have been alleging that wholesalers are not following government rates, and offering lower prices. The traders blame syndicates for artificially pushing down prices in collaboration.

Prices last year were higher than in this year, many seasonal retail traders claimed.

On the Eid day, price of a cowhide ranged between Tk400-Tk850 depending on its size at the Postagola wholesale market. A goathide was sold for Tk10.