DOHA: With an unprecedented hike in the prices of Saudi sheep by local traders, consumers are desperately waiting for the arrival of Syrian sheep as they are speculating some easing in the prices of livestock. Customers say that in some cases the average price rise of Saudi sheep is as high as QR400.
Citizens complain that in the absence of Syrian sheep in the market, which is considered as perfect substitute of each other, some greedy traders have increased the prices of Saudi sheep. In some cases (if the size is large) a Saudi sheep is being sold at QR1,650.
At a time when traders are complaining about the weak demand for livestock (sheep) in the local market, customers, on the contrary, say that ‘volatile prices of animals’ are responsible for the low demand. Some even say that the prevailing prices are much higher as compared to previous years, which they (customers) called, ‘unaffordable’ and ‘exploitative’, local Arabic daily Al Raya reported yesterday.
As the festival of Eid Al Adha approaching, customers are expecting an unprecedented rise in the demand and prices of sheep. Some even urged from the concerned authorities to take disciplinary action against what they say are greedy traders.
Hamad Salim, a private trader, who buys sheep from local farms and sells them at the Central market, said: “The market is very calm as the demand for livestock is very low. Most customers prefer to buy animals for sacrifice just two to three days before Eid Al Adha.”
The local customers are eagerly waiting for the arrival of Syrian sheep. The Syrian sheep, that were sold at a price range of QR1200 to QR1300 each earlier, are now being considered as the second most preferred animals after Saudi sheep. But in absence of Syrian livestock, Jordanian sheep, which are available at a price range of QR1300 to QR1400 per head in the central market, have now become the second best animal for customers.
According to local traders, the demand for all kinds of livestock in the central market is reported to be very low. Customers are waiting for the authorities concerned to announce official prices of livestock.
“Of late, even the demand for Somali sheep, which is available at a price of QR500 each (12-14kg), has witnessed a noticeable decline. And traders are desperately waiting for the occasion of Eid Al Adha when they are intending to recover some of their financial losses incurred through the year”, Bairak Mohammed, another trader at the central market, was quoted as saying.
Reiterating about the sharp rise in the prices of sheep, customers say that the lukewarm response in the market is due to high prices of animals charged by the private traders, and authorities must do something to curb the practice.
Saleh Hussain, a customer told the daily: “Today, I bought three sheep from the central market at a total price of QR2,720, including a Saudi sheep at a price of QR1360. And I also bought a Jordanian sheep (25kg) at a price of QR1350 very recently, and found that the prices are much higher as compared to previous year.” The Peninsula
