Govt-set rawhide prices mostly enforced: Commerce Adviser

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has said that rawhides from sacrificial animals are being sold largely in line with government-fixed prices, with strict monitoring in place to ensure compliance.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Posta in Lalbagh on Sunday, a major hub for hide collection and processing, the adviser said a special task force from the Ministry of Commerce is actively working on the ground to implement pricing regulations.

“The prices we set include the cost of salt. Those being sold for Tk 700 to Tk 800 are unsalted. Compared to many previous years, this year’s rates are higher,” he said.

When asked about seasonal traders allegedly being deprived of fair prices, the adviser acknowledged that such issues exist in some cases, but said the situation is often misunderstood.

“Inexperienced seasonal traders sometimes fail to preserve the hides properly. When half-rotten hides sell for Tk 700 or Tk 800, that’s actually a good deal. On the other hand, high-quality hides are fetching Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,300,” he explained.

To address preservation challenges, the government has prioritized local salting and storage. “Under the Chief Adviser’s directive, we’ve focused on local capacity building. This has helped stabilize both supply and demand in the rawhide market,” said Sk Bashir.

He added that district and upazila administrations are actively involved in monitoring, while a national-level control room operates around the clock to oversee the situation.

“In most areas, salted hides are fetching government-fixed prices,” he noted.

Addressing reports of rawhide spoilage and alleged market manipulation, Sk Bashir accused some social media users and even segments of the mainstream media of spreading misinformation.

“I saw a report from Rangunia where a seasonal trader mishandled 620 hides, leading to spoilage. That isolated case is now being misused to discredit the market. Some unscrupulous actors are trying to destabilize it,” he said.

Sk Bashir emphasized that the government has provided ample salt to facilitate proper preservation. “It is unfair to blame the government if individuals fail to do their part,” he said.

The adviser urged all involved to maintain quality by preserving hides properly before demanding fair prices. “Apply salt and store them well. If you ensure quality, you will get fair prices — maybe even higher than expected,” he said.

To boost demand, the government has lifted the export ban on raw and wet blue leather and disbursed Tk 220 crore in incentives.

“Salt has been delivered to every district, upazila, and even to local mosques. Now everyone must cooperate. It’s unacceptable to spread false information that harms the leather sector,” he added.

He also noted that prices had improved compared to the previous day and expressed optimism that salted hides would fetch even better rates soon.

“We can now preserve hides for two to three months. Don’t rush to sell at low prices. Wait until you get fair value,” he advised.

Sk Bashir concluded by saying, “We’ve done our best to ensure fair prices and protect the interests of orphans. I’m confident the political government will build on this foundation and do even more next year.”

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Export) Md Abdur Rahim Khan, and Bangladesh Tanners Association President Md Shahin Ahmed also attended the inspection.