Effect of ban on cow slaughter on cricket balls

When cattle are old enough, they’re sent to slaughter and their meat is processed and shipped to stores, with which the cricket balls are made. Cricket ball manufacturing companies that made use of illegal leather are facing the shortage of leather, which has led to a rapid rise in the cost of the cricket balls.

While talking to Hindustan Times, a Meerut-based company said that they have to import the leather from the UK which almost doubles the cost of the ball.

“Because of the madness here, we have to import leather from the UK. This is expensive because it involves import duty and other taxes. Ultimately, it is the consumer who is suffering. A ball being sold for Rs 400 a year ago, is now Rs 800.”

Reason for the quick rise in price:

The cricket ball manufacturing industries depend on the leather that they receive from states where cow slaughter is not illegal. But recently, there has been some worries among traders due the recent incidents against slaughter and this has led to increasing the price of cowhide.

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“Earlier, the price of a cow skin sheet was Rs 600-700 but has now touched Rs 2,500. This has caused prices to double,” Rakesh Mahajan, director of BD Mahajan & Sons Private Limited, said.

Why small scale industries suffer more?

The issue has a much bigger effect on small industries as they cannot afford these huge rates. So they will depend on buffalo sinks as an alternative. But the leather of buffalo is too thick and it is not a good alternative.

“Buffalo skin is not suitable for ‘alum tanning’ (the process of preparing it before ball making). The hide has issues like color penetration and waterproofing. It is also time consuming. If one man makes 10 balls with cow leather, it will be six with buffalo hide,” Mahajan explained the demerits of buffalo hide.

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