In Bangladesh, more than 9.1 million animals were sacrificed during Eid-ul-Adha last year, according to the Department of Livestock Services. Of these, 4.7 million were cattle and buffalo, while 4.4 million were goats, sheep, camels, and rams. A recent study estimates that the economy centred around Qurbani in Bangladesh is worth approximately $5.7 billion, equivalent to over BDT 700 billion (calculated at an exchange rate of BDT 123 per dollar).

Across Muslim-majority countries and nations with significant Muslim populations worldwide, a very large number of animals are sacrificed annually during Eid-ul-Adha. Livestock and related sectors consequently make a major contribution to these countries’ economies. In terms of the number of animals sacrificed, market value, employment generated, and overall economic impact, Bangladesh has emerged as the world’s largest Qurbani-centred economy.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid, commercial farms and households across the country prepared a large number of animals. Animal husbandries and market stakeholders indicate that around 12.5 million animals, including cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep, are expected to be brought to market this year. The livestock ministry is already working on preparations related to sacrificial animals and market management.

Md Delwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, told Bonik Barta, “Eid-ul-Adha is a significant component of the national economy, alongside a religious festival. Preparations are underway regarding the livestock-centred economic activities surrounding this year’s Eid. But nothing has been finalised yet. A meeting is scheduled next week on this matter,” adding that all details will be disclosed after the meeting.

Globally, the annual sacrifice of animals during Eid-ul-Adha has significance in both the economy and employment in Muslim-majority countries. Bangladesh is the largest centre of this Qurbani-centred system, considering scale, market value, participation, employment, and overall economic impact. Market analysis shows it has evolved into a major economic activity for farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and related sectors.

Industry stakeholders note that the economic activities surrounding Eid-ul-Adha in the country turn into transactions worth billions of BDT within just a few days. This financial flow spans the entire value chain, including livestock farming, transportation, market management, and leather processing. As a result, it creates a strong “circular economy” in rural areas, where urban capital flows into villages, benefiting even low-income households.

Globally, the scale of Qurbani-centred economies in other Muslim-majority countries is comparatively smaller than that of Bangladesh. In Pakistan, around 8 million animals are sacrificed annually, with cattle, goats, and camels making up the majority. Citing the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), local media GNN stated that around 7.41 million animals were sacrificed in 2025. Among these are approximately 3 million cattle, 3.5 million goats, 400,000 sheep, 200,000 buffalo, and about 67,000 camels. In 2024, the figure stood at around 6.80 million.

Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country in Southeast Asia with a population of about 350 million (86 percent Muslim), recorded around 1.85 million animal sacrifices in 2025. Of these, 627,000 were cattle and buffalo, while around 1.22 million were goats and sheep. The Indonesian News Agency (ANTARA) reported this information, citing the country’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.

In Saudi Arabia, 1 to 1.5 million animals are sacrificed annually during Hajj, though the supply is largely import-dependent. The country imports animals from Sudan, Somalia, and Brazil. Brazil alone supplies around 20 percent of its demand.

Turkey, another major Muslim economy, sacrifices roughly one-third the number of animals compared to Bangladesh. According to Anadolu Agency, citing the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, about 3.8 million animals were sacrificed there last year. In Egypt, approximately 1.3 million animals were sacrificed in 2025, including 500,000 cattle and 700,000 goats and other livestock, as reported by local media outlets, Al-Ahram and Egypt Today.

Analysts attribute Bangladesh’s dominant position compared to other Muslim-majority countries in the Qurbani economy to several factors. They argue that the country is not merely a participant but a leading force in this sector. The combination of livestock farming, employment generation, and diverse economic activities has made this seasonal economy a powerful driver of national growth. With proper policy support, technological advancement, infrastructure development, and assistance for small entrepreneurs, the sector holds the potential to unlock even greater economic opportunities in the future.

Bengal Meat’s Chief Executive Officer, AFM Asif, said, “Bangladesh’s Qurbani economy will be larger in the future as a result of our high population density and economic progress. Still, a large portion of the people don’t have the capability of sacrificing an animal during Eid-ul-Adha. But when they achieve this, they will fulfil this religious duty. The market is expected to expand further as more people gain the financial capacity.”

Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha this year, sacrificial animals are being prepared in various districts. In Satkhira, about 120,000 animals have been readied on 13,000 farms using local rearing methods. Around 18,000 animals are expected to remain surplus after meeting local demand, according to Dr FM Mannan Kabir, deputy director of the district livestock office.

In Bogura, a total of 740,537 animals have been prepared across 12 upazilas for Qurbani, according to the district livestock office.

In the Khulna division, demand is projected to rise by around 200,000 animals compared to last year. Dr Mohammad Golam Haider, director of the Department of Livestock Services (DoLS), Khulna, said, “Demand during this Eid-ul-Adha is approximately 1.08 million animals, while preparations have reached around 1.45 million (Source: BSS).

Mymensingh district has prepared 226,000 animals against a demand of 180,000, leaving a potential surplus of about 44,000 animals.

In Rangpur, various farms have prepared 366,591 animals, including cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep, to meet the upcoming festival demand.

Agricultural economists emphasise that Qurbani plays a crucial role in Bangladesh’s economy. Beyond the festival, the country has already achieved self-sufficiency in meeting overall livestock demand. This eliminates the need for imports. The sector has also fostered entrepreneurship and created employment opportunities for youth and women.

Former Director General of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Dr Jahangir Alam, told Bonik Barta, “Qurbani makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy. Many farmers and livestock rearers raise cattle and goats specifically targeting Eid. We’ve achieved self-sufficiency in livestock production, and there’s no longer a need to import animals for Qurbani, which is a positive development for the economy.”

Pointing out the losses of livestock rearers, Jahangir Alam, also a Ekushey Padak–winning agricultural economist, said, “In recent years, many people involved in rearing sacrificial animals have incurred losses due to rising production costs. As costs increase, the prices of meat and livestock also go up. As a result, a portion of animals are left unsold during Eid. This results in financial losses for farmers. The government needs to intervene in this area by controlling the prices of animal feed and veterinary medicines.”

Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said, “The government has undertaken various initiatives to utilise the livestock sector as a major source of employment.” He made this statement on April 16 in response to a written question in the National Parliament.

The minister noted, “New projects are being developed to harness the sector’s potential. If implemented, these projects will play a significant role in reducing unemployment.”

He added, “The primary objectives of these initiatives are to develop skilled human resources, create new employment opportunities, and build a self-reliant population and entrepreneurial class.”

According to the minister, the government’s planned projects include the development and expansion of indigenous dairy cattle in the Sylhet region; livestock development in char and river erosion–prone areas of the north-central region; strengthening the capacity of central poultry farms to expand climate-resilient poultry breeds; improving livestock services at the union level; modernizing artificial insemination services; and enhancing veterinary services at the upazila and district levels.

Additionally, projects have been undertaken to modernise and expand the Central Veterinary Hospital, improve services for poultry and duck farms, and develop and modernise small ruminant farming systems.