Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The relatively calm livestock market for last few months here, and also in other parts of Kingdom, is gradually picking up as Eid Al Adha approaches. Also, the market witnessed price fluctuation during the last few days that will reach its peak on the first day of Eid.

Despite high cost of breeding and the departure of mostly African expatriate shepherds, yet the livestock market has remained stable for some time now ahead of the Haj.

The prices were ranging around SR800-1,000 and are expected to shoot up for local varieties. The price of popular variety of Sawakani, which is most sought after in Western region and also largely by expatriates, remained almost the same as the previous year despite shortage in supplies.

The price fluctuation to some extent is a common feature ahead of Eid Al Adha every year for various logistic reasons besides demand and supply.

The price depends upon choice of customers who largely favor local popular varieties such as Najdi, Naimi against imported foreign livestock for the sacrificial rite. The local breeds of Kingdom are popular not only at home but is also popular in neighboring Gulf countries too.

Different varieties of sheep is being used for sacrifice depending upon choice of people based on their socio, geographic conditions in addition to food habits.

The high price-fetching breeds, Najdi and Naimi, have fewer customers in Jeddah compared to the other parts of the Kingdom. The Barbari, Hurri breeds, that are sold more in Jeddah and western region, fetches around SR1,000 and Sawakani, imported Sudanese sheep and named after Sudan port from where it is imported, is costing around SR750-800.

There is significant drop among expatriates who offer sacrifice with the help of local butchers, who used to charge around SR700 that included sheep cost and butchering charges.

“Since many families have left for their native countries we have stopped the service in addition to the compliance with local rules,” said an expatriate butcher, who had been offering such services for quite a long time.

Also, authorities have intensified inspection on illegal livestock that could reach pilgrims. This year the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Water has established 8 check posts at entry points at Makkah to prevent transportation of any unfit livestock.

Also, the ministry has deployed more than 225 veterinary personnel to check the health condition of livestock meant for sacrificial rite in holy city of Makkah.