Sheep prices increase in RAK

27 April 2010
RAS AL KHAIMAH — The rise in sheep prices has been hard on the pockets of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) residents.

Some residents also cited an increase in the prices of imported frozen meat in the markets which was an option for the residents.

Yunus Hassan, a regular buyer of sheep said traders increased the prices of sheep since the beginning of April making it hard for many families to buy the animals.

He stressed said Somali and Omani sheep are now priced at between Dh550 and Dh700, up from Dh350 last month, a Pakistani sheep cost Dh600 up from Dh400 and an Indian sheep from Dh500 to Dh600.

Abdul Karim Khan, a Pakistani trader in the Ras Al Khaimah livestock market has attributed the increase in the prices of sheep to the increase in the transportation costs.

He said traders raised the prices so as to remain in the business.

Rashid Mohammed, an Emirati who has been buying two heads of sheep for his family of thirteen members weekly, said since the prices of sheep went up, he had resorted to buying frozen meat.

He however noted that the prices of frozen meat have also been increased over the past week.

“I wonder why traders have to increase the prices of animals or the meat whenever they wish. The concerned authorities have to intervene and control the arbitrary price increases so as to protect the consumers,” said
Mohammed.

For Ahmed Salem, Egyptian expatriate, said he used to buy a sheep for his family at least once in a month but ever since the prices of animals increased, he is even reluctant to visit the livestock market.

Salem noted that sheep prices in RAK have increased by more than 80 per cent since mid last year.

A senior official at the Department of Economic Development in RAK said they have received complaints from residents about the increase in animal prices and that the department is monitoring the animal markets to ensure that traders do not cheat people.

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