As Eid ul-Azha approaches, Savar’s tanneries are in high gear, aiming to collect 1.05 crore animal hides. However, rising salt prices and concerns over power supply threaten to disrupt operations, while a controversial government decision on wet blue leather exports has sparked alarm among tannery owners.
Preparations in full swing
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, a visit to Savar’s tanneries revealed intensive preparations.
Tanneries have stockpiled chemicals, including salt, essential for preserving hides.
Factory floors have been cleared to accommodate the influx of skins, and additional workers have been hired to manage the workload.
The surrounding areas have been cleaned to ensure smooth operations during the busy Eid period.
Challenges: Soaring salt prices and power concerns
Salt, a critical component for hide preservation, has seen a Tk 4 per kg price hike in the past month, raising costs for tannery owners.
Anwar Hossain, owner of M/s Ayub Brothers Tanners, emphasised the need for uninterrupted electricity, stating, “Constant power is vital for our industry. Even brief load shedding can lead to significant losses.”
Tannery owners are urging the government to stabilize salt prices and ensure a reliable power supply to prevent disruptions.
Wet blue export controversy
Md Shakhawat Ullah, Senior Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), expressed concerns over the government’s decision to permit wet blue leather exports, calling it “suicidal” for the industry.
Wet blue leather, produced by removing fur from animal hides and processing them, is a key product for tanneries.
Shakhawat noted that tanneries are targeting 1.05 crore hides this Eid but fear that exporting wet blue leather could undermine the local industry. “The government should reconsider this policy,” he urged.
Support from authorities
The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) has mobilized resources to support the hide collection process.
Md Mahfuzur Rahman Rizwan, Executive Engineer at Savar BSCIC Leather Industry City, confirmed that 50 volunteers will assist in the leather industry city starting on Eid day.
“The district administration and police have pledged full support, and we’ve prepared the central waste treatment plant to handle the increased load,” Rizwan said.
A critical season for Savar’s tanneries
With Eid ul-Azha being a peak season for the leather industry, Savar’s tanneries are under pressure to meet their ambitious target while navigating economic and logistical challenges.
The outcome of their efforts will depend on government action to address their demands for stable salt prices, reliable power, and a reconsideration of export policies.