Dhaka, June 12 (V7N) – Shop owners across the country, including in Dhaka, have completed the collection and salting of over 9 million pieces of skins from sacrificial animals to preserve them for the upcoming leather processing season. These salted skins are now being transported to the tannery village in Savar.

Factory owners are set to begin purchasing the skins within the next week, starting with those preserved in Dhaka. The procurement of skins from outside Dhaka will take place in phases.

Shaheen Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh Tanners Association, said, “The purchase of skins available in various markets inside Dhaka, including Posta and Amin Bazar, will start within six to seven days. Due to the ongoing long holiday, the buying process may be a bit slow initially.”

Mizanur Rahman, Director of Samata Leather, explained, “After applying salt to the skins, it takes about three to four days for the moisture to drain out. Therefore, skins are first preserved in Dhaka city. We expect traders to start moving to different markets by Saturday or Sunday.”

The government has fixed the minimum price for animal skins this season. In Dhaka, the minimum price for cowhide has been set at 1,350 taka per piece, while outside Dhaka it is fixed at 1,150 taka.

However, tannery owners clarified that they will purchase leather by square foot rather than by piece. “If the quality of the leather is good, the shop owners will receive prices set by the government,” said Shaheen Ahmed. He added, “We will buy leather in Dhaka for 60 to 65 taka per square foot, and salted leather outside Dhaka for 50 to 55 taka per square foot. The government’s fixed price per piece seems a bit high when converted per square foot.”

Mizanur Rahman expressed concern over the quality of this year’s leather, noting, “We fear 15 to 20 percent of the leather will be affected by lumpy skin disease. Sacrifices have already been made and the leather salted, so the quality is very low. These leathers cannot be exported under any circumstances.” However, he assured that buyers and sellers of salted leather are professional, and negotiations are handled professionally, enabling them to collect leather close to government-fixed prices.

Tannery owners also emphasized that, despite price negotiations, tannery businesses will not suffer losses.

END/MSS/AJ