The retail prices of sheep at Al Wakra Central Market have dropped considerably over the past few days dropping by almost 15% compared to the prices before the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.
Speaking to local Arabic daily Arrayah, a number of sellers and workers at the sheep market at Al Wakra stressed that the abundance of the numbers of sheep on display at the market alongside the introduction of the national initiative to encourage local livestock production and subsidizing the prices of sheep for 2024 have helped in reducing prices even though the demand has been considerably high, especially during the first week of Ramadan.
They also pointed out that around 75% of the sheep on display at the market are from Iranian origin and the others varieties are mostly local and Jordanian with prices ranging from QR1,200 to QR1,300 ahead. There are also locally produced sheep that could sell at QR950 to QR1,000 a head. Barn owners and workers at the market stressed that the traders were very keen to stock enough amounts at their barns ahead of Ramadan to cater for the expected rising demand as it is considered one of the best season for this.
Karam Hammam, barn worker, stressed that the numbers of sheep available currently at Al Wakra Central Market has gradually risen ahead of Ramadan, reaching a considerably high figure almost 10 days ahead of Ramadan. He said that the retail prices for a sheep amounted to QR1,600 a few days before the start of Ramadan. However, within the first week of Ramadan, prices started to drop and stabilize in spite of the steadily good demand.
Abdualla Adam, sheep seller, noted that most customers prefer to buy their needs of sheep a few days before the start of Ramadan, so they can stock enough meat in their fridges. Accordingly, the number of the sold heads per day has started to drop within the second week of Ramadan.
Hamadan Abdulrhman, seller, pointed out that the amount of demand has started to drop at the market, and there are abundant numbers of sheep of different varieties at the barns of the market.
Salah Ahmed, seller, said that the rate of sales at the market is quiet stable at the market now and expected that it would increase over the coming weeks. The prices would remain the same due to the good amounts available at the barns.
