Dubai: Cattle prices in Dubai will not be allowed to rocket during the Eid Al Adha festival of sacrifice that begins next weekend, a top official said.
UAE | General
No cattle price hike this Eid, top official says
Traders warned they will be fined heavily if they increase prices
- By Faisal Masudi, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 October 16, 2012
- Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
- Dr. Hashem Al Nuaimi, Director of Customer Protection Department,and his team during his visit to the Livestock market in Al Qusais, Dubai. This visit comes within the activities of monitoring prices before Eid.
Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the Consumer Protection Department, warned traders will be fined heavily — between Dh5,000 and Dh100,000 — if they increase cattle prices this festive season.
“The supply’s good, why increase prices?” Dr Al Nuaimi said while inspecting the cattle market in Ghusais on Monday.
Prices typically rise during Eid Al Adha as residents rush to sacrifice a sheep or goat for the occasion, which follows the Haj pilgrimage in Makkah. Cows and camels can also be sacrificed.
The sacrificial animals’ meat is traditionally given to the poor, friends and neighbours. Portions are also cooked for the family offering the sacrifice. However, some residents who budget early for the ritual see prices climb out of reach as Eid Al Adha draws close.
“This Eid Al Adha, no, this will not happen. I’ll come again to check. We’ll check in Fujairah and other emirates,” said Dr Al Nuaimi.
During the inspection he asked a number of traders to slash prices about 20 per cent, saying “that’s too much, bring it down” as he made the rounds.
The average price for a small goat — about 10-15kg — should be around Dh400. A large 40kg sheep should be priced at about Dh1,000.
“You should shop around and negotiate also. The consumer should know the rights. Don’t give him [the trader] the money just because it’s what he asked for.”
Despite the official price guidelines, listed at most pens, many traders were still asking for Dh30-Dh70 more, said Indian customer Syed Miya. “Everyone’s got a different price, who’s setting these prices? And they’ll raise it more come Eid, I know they will.”
Two Pakistani traders said it was difficult to reduce prices as they made just Dh10-Dh30 profit per goat.
Dr Al Nuaimi said prices this season were down about 20 per cent from last Eid Al Adha. In 2011, about 2.3 million cattle were imported to the UAE through Ras Al Khaimah alone, he added.
Comments (6)
|
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Latest news
- Parents shattered as both kids die within hours
- Readers’ support for Adel, Gaganlal
- Syrian woman appeals for help
- Indian adoptions at standstill
- Dog thieves caught on camera in Dubai
- Father grieves for daughters killed by pesticide
- Loan shark holds nurse’s family to ransom
- Concern over depression among school kids
- Curl up in style : More sleeping pods in AUH
- Crew of abandoned ship stranded in Khor Fakkan
- Indian man enters UAE on his namesake’s passport
- Miracle baby celebrates first birthday
- Ten dumbest excuses given for a crime
- Click and your Facebook will be hacked
- Breaking the law
Community Reports
-
Breaking the law
Reader points out that cyclists break the rules and are inconsiderate of other road users.
-
Good deed marks first anniversary
Serve the Heroes group provides refreshments to construction workers to mark first anniversary
-
Spitting in public is as bad as vandalism
Habit damages public property while also being a health hazard
-
Noise pollution haunts Abu Dhabi residents
COMMUNITY REPORT Inconsiderate motorists turn Khalifa Bin Zayed Street into a parking nightmare