Natore, May 16 -- ul-Azha approaching, traders at Chakbaidyanath Mukam, the country's second-largest rawhide market, have completed their preparations.

But, a sudden rise in salt prices and the spread of a bovine virus among cattle have left them deeply concerned.

Due to the virus, salted rawhides are now being sold by weight, with traders suspecting the issue stems from the side effects of overfeeding in cattle farms.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce has announced that salt imports will not be necessary this year due to sufficient domestic production.

Taking advantage of the situation, traders have increased the price of unrefined salt by Tk 5 per kilogram, directly affecting the leather industry.

Earlier, salt was priced at Tk 1...