Shapuri Dip, Bangladesh: A large number of buffalo from Burma have been entering Bangladesh through Shapuri Dip, said a local cattle trader.

Previously, mostly cows had been entering Bangladesh from Burma, but recently more buffalo have been entering as Burma is facing a shortage of cows, said a cattle trader who comes from Burma.

Earlier this morning, about 200 buffalo arrived at Shapuri Dip  on engine boats from Burma. The animals came from the southern part of Arakan State, Burma.

Traders are able to buy buffalo in Burma at the rate of Kyat 200,000 to 350,000 per head, according to their size. They then sell them for a large profit in Bangladesh at the rate of Taka 40,000 to 50,000 per head (one Bangla Taka= Kyat 12).

Occasionally, Burma’s border security forces (Nasaka) or naval forces disturb the cattle traders while they make their way to Bangladesh. Some traders have even been arrested, but are usually released after paying money, said a Burmese cattle trader from Shapuri Dip.

In Bangladesh, traders from India and Burma are illegally importing cattle. Local Bangladeshi people also illegally import cattle from neighboring countries. The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) have recently shot several Bangladeshi cattle traders to death while the traders attempted to transport cattle to Bangladesh across the India-Bangladesh border. The numbers of Indian cattle in Bangladesh have been decreasing, while the price of beef is skyrocketing. A kilogram of beef without bones is being sold at Taka 320, said a local businessman in Teknaf. 

As a result, the demand for Burmese cattle in Bangladesh is rising due to the rising cost of red meat.

Cattles traders have to pay only Taka 500 per head to the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) or Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) as tax. There are no other disturbances for traders on the Bangladeshi side. Bangladesh authorities and local people welcome the Burmese cattle, said another cattle trader from Teknaf.