Syeda Amtul

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) is set to receive more than a million animals before the end of this month to meet the needs of the local market during the Haj season and to stabilize prices and achieve a balance between supply and demand in the market.



Suleiman Al-Jabri, chairman of cattle imports in Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “This is the annual effort of our organization to meet livestock needs during the pilgrimage season and we have contracted with suppliers to import a million animals in addition to our livestock reserves and those from existing local farms to provide all the needs of the local market.”



He said the imported stocks would help maintain price stability and be affordable to everyone.



While pointing out that prices have not fluctuated more than 10 percent each way despite increased demand, he said the import of shipments began earlier with the aim of meeting the expected demand for livestock before the start of the season.



He also confirmed that prices would not exceed SR500 and SR900 for each Somali and Sudanese sheep respectively.



According to him, 70 percent of local livestock needs are imported from abroad to meet the gap in demand.



Saudi Arabia annually imports more than 2.5 million sheep from neighboring Sudan and Somalia.



Al-Jabri said citizens should not listen to rumors of price hikes, especially with regard to imported livestock.



“An increase in imported livestock reduces the prices of local animals.”



He praised the important role played by the committee for livestock traders at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture for increasing the level of imports.