Rawhide prices hit decade-high, says Sk Bashir, despite minor spoilage

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin announced that rawhide prices this year have reached their highest levels in a decade, driven by effective government measures, despite minor spoilage by seasonal traders. 

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Chakbaidyanath Leather Market in Natore town on Tuesday, he addressed concerns about misinformation surrounding the market.

“Some isolated incidents of spoilage by temporary traders in Chattogram, where 620 hides were damaged, have been exaggerated. No hides were spoiled in Dhaka, yet negative narratives are unfairly tainting the entire market,” Bashir Uddin said. 

He emphasised that even damaged hides are fetching relatively good prices due to enhanced leather sector capacity.

The government has lifted the ban on wet-blue leather exports to boost demand and distributed 7.5 lakh maunds of tested salt to tannery owners through BSCIC to preserve hides effectively. 

“This ensures traders get better prices by preventing spoilage and staggering sales,” the adviser noted, while urging moderation in salt price hikes to protect salt farmers.

Bashir Uddin called for an inclusive trade environment, aiming to expand leather exports beyond reliance on a few countries. 

“We’re targeting markets in India, Pakistan, China, Europe, and beyond to grow the economy,” he said, forecasting even higher prices next year with collective effort. He urged the media to report comprehensively, avoiding focus on isolated incidents.

Natore Superintendent of Police Amjad Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner Abul Hayat, Leather Traders Association General Secretary Abdul Halim Siddiqui, and local business leaders were present during the briefing.