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Eid Al Adha 2019: Livestock prices surge in UAE as air freight cost rises

Dubai - Earlier this year, when the livestock used to arrive via sea cargo, prices were around Dh1,500 for the animal.

UAE residents are expected to shell out more money for their Eid Al Adha sacrifices this year, as transport costs are making it more expensive for traders to import livestock from India.
As per the market trend, buying a goat during this Eid season can cost up to Dh2,000, largely due to increased transport costs.
Traders at the Dubai Cattle Market said that during the summer months, live animals will be imported from India via air transport, which costs more than double than that of sea cargo.
Earlier this year, when the livestock used to arrive via sea cargo, prices were around Dh1,500 for the animal, the traders say.
Mustafa Abbas, one of the traders at the market said: "Indian government usually restricts export of livestock during the hot weather. At present, we import them on flights and it will be the similar case for the Eid Al Adha period."
Another trader, Muhammad Zafar, revealed that he has placed a shipment order of 1,200 sheep and goat from India for Eid Al Adha, which is due to arrive on August 5.
"When they used to arrive by sea freight, it used to cost me Dh60 per animal. Now, the cost of air cargo is up to Dh300 per animal. That's why we will have to add it to the price to cover our costs."
Goats and sheep from India are expected to remain high in demand due to their affordability, compared to livestock from Pakistan.
Most of the traders who spoke to Khaleej Times said that livestock from Pakistan is less in demand due to its higher cost of import and lower profitability.
"Not many people can afford a goat from Pakistan as it costs around Dh3,500 whereas we are able to sell a goat from India at Dh2,000," said Zafar.
abdulkarim@khaleejtimes.com