The livestock market in Abu Hamour has been a topic of intense debate for long in view of the demand to shift it from the residential area owing to the foul smell emanating from the place and related health concerns.
However, even as its future remains uncertain, the market continues to cater to the demands of Doha’s residents at reasonable rates.
The market sells a variety of animals and birds such as sheep, camels, goats, rabbits, chicken, and peacocks. The animals and birds are from various origins and breeds, and are meant to cater to the requirements of the diverse population of the country. The prices range from QR5 for a small bird to thousands of riyals for camels and cattle.
Most people, it has been learnt, go to the market to buy sheep. Interestingly, not too many residents are aware that the place also sells birds and rabbits.
As customers enter the market in their vehicles, the herdsmen present there hurry to greet them. Assuming that the buyers are looking for sheep or goats, they start offering sheep at competitive prices.
While the sheep section is the prime attraction, the rear portion of the market - which houses birds and rabbits - does not get the desired number of customers. But the ones who visit this section know it well that it offers some really good deals.
A small chick, labelled as local, would sell for QR5, a local quail for QR6 and the French one would for QR15. A pair of small rabbits would sell for QR50-60 depending on the colour, breed and origin, while a fully-grown one ready for slaughter would go for QR60 or above. One can also find turkeys, ducks and pigeons at the market.
Asked about the future of the market, many of the salesmen there said they were confident that the place would continue to operate for a while despite the plans to shift it to a new location. In fact, real estate agents offering villas for rent in the vicinity keep assuring their potential customers that the market would be shifted.
“Many people do not want to stay close to the market due to the odour emanating from the place. Rents are often reduced to woo customers. For instance, a villa which was initially offered for QR14,000 a month, could not find tenants who were ready to pay anything above QR10,000,” said a Moroccan real estate agent.
Ibrahim, an Asian salesman of birds, said business picks up when the weather improves. There are people, he added, who like to buy birds and small animals to breed at their homes. Some even buy peacocks at QR3,500 a pair.
“A pair of an American rooster and a hen for breeding will cost QR500, while an Iranian rooster can be sold for QR100 and the local one for QR 60,” he said.
Metal cages, meant primarily for small fancy birds, are available at prices starting from QR60, For farm birds such as hens, ducks and pigeons, cages are made of wood and wire and sell at QR20, 40, 50, 110 and above, depending on the size.