DOHA: Amid complaints about rise in the prices of meat ahead of Eid Al Adha, the Ministry of Business and Trade has launched an initiative to offer sheep to Qataris at a moderate price.
The ministry said yesterday that it had reached an agreement with Widam Food Company to sell Syrian sheep (45kg) to Qataris at QR1,150.
Widam has allocated outlets to sell sheep to Qataris in Central Market, Al Khor and Al Shamal. The offer will be available from next Wednesday until the third day of Eid Al Adha.
The ministry will conduct inspections to ensure that traders comply with the new prices.
Traders are expecting a 20 percent hike in the prices of sheep and goat, with a surge in demand for sacrificial meat ahead of Eid Al Adha.
A Saudi ban imposed last year on export of livestock and a shortage in supply of Syrian sheep are pushing prices up in the local market. The Syrian sheep are coming through Turkey, following the political turmoil in Syria.
The limited stocks of Syrian sheep are sold at QR1,770 per head, while prices of Jordanian sheep have gone up to QR1,600 and Iranian, QR1,300, a local Arabic daily said yesterday. Prices would go up further as demand peaks with the beginning of Eid Al Adha holidays.
Meanwhile, Qatari investors and businessmen have called for joint ventures between the government and private sector to meet the high demand for meat and food products.
Qatar requires 200,000 tonnes of meat every year — 80,000 tonnes of red meat and 120,000 tonnes of white meat (chicken and birds), said the daily.
Only two companies supply chicken for the local market. Many private companies have applied for new licences but they are under study.
Local poultry is meeting only 30 per cent of the requirements of the country. Investors have called to set up a joint panel to develop a national food strategy and create partnership between government and private sectors.
“Investment in food and livestock is weak in the country because of the high cost involved and scarcity of water and land,” said Ali Al Khalaf, Qatari businessman.
Qatar can meet its demand for vegetables through advanced agricultural technology while grains can be produced abroad.
But this needs government support, he added.
The Peninsula
