Qatar: Great demand for Jordanian sheep as Eid al-Adha approaches

Neveen Al Jarrah

Wholesalers and importers of sheep for Eid sacrifices in Qatar confirmed that Jordanian sheep are imposing their dominance and competitiveness in the Qatari market, along with many types of sheep imported from other Arab and Islamic countries.

Qatar imports large numbers of Jordanian sheep with the approaching Eid al-Adha, and they are displayed in various Qatari markets and places designated for the sale of sacrifices, in addition to local and other imported varieties from Syria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Somalia, Oman and Sudan.

Jordanian sheep are sold at prices ranging from 1100 to 1400 riyals ($302 to $385) per head, according to weight, while other types of Eid sheep are sold at prices slightly lower than their Jordanian counterparts.

Traders told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) today, Sunday, that the prices of Jordanian sheep, besides Turkish, are the highest among all types of sheep imported to the Qatari market from abroad, stressing that Jordanian sheep are in high demand by most segments of consumers, especially Qatari citizens, for their quality. It is of high quality, excellent quality, and distinguished by the taste that many prefer, as it is fed from natural pastures, which makes its fat percentage lower than other varieties, which is what many consumers are looking for.

Nasser Shams Al-Din (cattle dealer), confirmed that there is a large segment of Qataris and residents, who prefer Jordanian sheep and accept to buy them from now on, although there is still some time until the blessed Eid Al-Adha.

He believes that the demand from now on buying Eid sacrifices, especially those imported from Jordan, is due to consumers' desire to secure their requests from these sacrifices for fear of a rise in their prices with the approach of Eid, or a decrease in the supply of them with the great demand for them.

For his part, Nazem Al-Harthy (cattle breeder), explained that some livestock traders are taking advantage of the great demand for Jordanian sheep in the Qatari market by selling Iranian sheep as Jordanian, Turkish or Syrian, stressing that some ordinary consumers who do not have experience, cannot differentiate between These types of sheep.

Al-Harthy suggested to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar, to obligate each barn owner in the market to write down the data and prices of the sheep offered, and to implement the decision to compel commercial establishments, sales outlets, virtual platforms, social media and home licenses, to write down prices and data for goods and services clearly and prominently in Arabic, when they are announced. or offered for trading.

It is noteworthy that the Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently announced, in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality, an initiative to support sacrifice prices for the blessed Eid al-Adha, noting that the prices of sacrifices that will be sold under this initiative will be lower than market prices. -- (Petra)