Markets packed ahead of Eid

Abu Dhabi/Ras Al Khaimah: Crowded markets on the eve of Eid Al Adha on Sunday suggested that residents are not allowing the economic meltdown to prevent them from spending during the holiday season.

Shopping malls and local markets are doing brisk business, according to traders.

Many of the shoppers who spoke to Gulf News said they had not noticed any considerable increase in prices on the eve of Eid.

"The prices of some commodities have increased recently, but I did not notice any substantial increases [yesterday]," said Alam Navas, a Bangladeshi expatriate.

Mohammad Javed, who runs a clothing store off Electra Street, was in a celebratory mood, saying he had received a large number of customers.

"There was huge demand for various types of caps for men and abayas for ladies," he said.

Pakistani expatriate Sabeel Khan said he never failed to buy a new cap for Eid. "I am really celebrating because I am going home soon after Eid," he said.

Food and clothes were also moving briskly out of shopping malls.

"In general, most residents finish shopping for new clothes at least a week before the holiday and make their exchanges on the eve of Eid," a salesman at Marina Mall said. "Normally, the last shopping day is spent buying food. But [yesterday] scores of customers were still buying clothes."

A spokesperson for Emke Group, which runs Lulu Hypermarket, said there had been no noticeable change in shopping trends or volume of business.

Meanwhile, fish prices, which normally go down on Eid Al Adha, have shot up. Nevertheless, fish markets are full of customers.

Saleh Hanbalou, an Emirati fisherman, said prices were high because catches were still not meeting demand. He said the main fish markets were overflowing with customers and fish was being sourced from other countries. Hanbalou added that recent weather conditions had negatively affected the fish supply.

A kilogram of the locally preferred hamour fish sells for as much as Dh50, while the price for a kilogram of kanaad is Dh35.

Hanbalou said such prices were normally unimaginable ahead of Eid Al Adha, when consumer attention traditionally turns to livestock.

Cattle markets were also busy, with hundreds of people buying animals for sacrifice. "I purchased a Somali goat for Dh350. Last year the price was Dh270," said Muslahudin, an expatriate who gave only one name.

Mohammad Jakhit purchased a goat at the same price and recalled paying between Dh70 and Dh80 five years ago.

Ganem Al Marzouki, an Emirati farmer who brought goats from his farm in Shahama to sell at the market, said most customers preferred to buy cheaper goats from Somalia or Pakistan.