Livestock prices shoot up ahead of Eid

Dubai: Price of livestock has doubled in Dubai because demand is expected to grow significantly on the occasion of Eid Al Adha.

On Thursday, residents moved around cattle pens in Al Ghusais market to find the perfect animal to sacrifice.

While an Iranian sheep could be bought for Dh400 two weeks ago, today it costs up to Dh1,000. The price of African cows has also doubled from Dh3,000 to Dh6,000.

There is sufficient stock to meet the demand, traders said.

Syrian sheep cost around Dh1,500 and the price of Pakistani sheep can reach Dh3,000. The cheapest sheep are from Somalia and can be purchased for Dh400, but it has much less meat.

"I bought a cow last month for Dh3,700. Today they want more than Dh6,000 for a similar one. I do not have a choice. I just have to agree as we have to make sacrifices through this month," said Ebrahim Al Hamza, an Emirati who buys meat from the market on a regular basis.

"The prices have also increased dramatically compared to Eid last year," he added.

Ahmad Redha, an Egyptian expatriate who is celebrating his first Eid in the UAE, said the prices were "unreal compared with Egypt. But I wanted to feel the essence of Eid, so I still decided to buy".

He bought a Syrian sheep for Dh1,600, which he will pick up on the first day of Eid after it is slaughtered.

"Traders are taking advantage of the situation and are increasing the prices just because it is high season. But unfortunately, people continue to buy," said an Emirati woman, who did not wish to be named, while she was busy searching for a suitable sheep.

Flocks of cattle are squeezed into the more than 100 pens in the market. Each pen can hold 300 cattle.

During Eid, a two-day rental charge for a pen can touch Dh7,000, according to Ali Hussain Gohlam, owner of some pens and a livestock trader.

"Retailers have to increase prices as transportation charges are skyrocketing and fodder and rent prices are also increasing," said Gohlam.

Lorries packed with cattle were also spotted everywhere across the market to transport animals.