13 July 2011
KUWAIT: Despite statements by officials from the authorities concerned with controlling food prices, meat prices in Kuwait continue to be higher than usual as Ramadan approaches. The price of one Arabian sheep has already reached an astronomical KD 120, compared to the KD75 the same type of sheep cost only a few months ago. The reasons behind the increase are the increasing price of cattle fodder, inflation in the Arab region, and the high demand for Arabian sheep on the market, especially in the run-up to and during the month of Ramadan.
A more common choice is the cheaper Australian sheep, which costs less than its Arabian counterpart despite the cost and distance of shipping. Even as the cheaper choice, however, the average price of an Australian sheep at present is KD 45 as opposed to KD 32 before the recent price rises.
Jaber, a disgruntled 48-year old consumer, complained that local stores insist on selling sheep at high prices despite the regulations imposed by the relevant authorities. "In the same store where you pay KD 45 for a sheep, you find a framed paper on the wall that says the price per kilo shouldn't exceed 750 fils. The stores still sell them at a higher price," he said.
A butcher, Abu Ahmad, said that the Livestock Transportation and Trading Company (LTTC), which is the only local supplier of Australian sheep, sells them for a very high price. "The margin for profit is very small; each sheep costs us about KD38 during this season - we are lucky to make a profit of KD5 after the haggling and debating with buyers," he complained.
The LTTC insisted, however, that it is not responsible for the rising prices of non-Australian sheep on the market, asserting that the Ministry of Commerce and the Municipality are responsible for monitoring market prices. In a statement issued to the press, the company pointed out that it is only responsible for importing Australian sheep, claiming that it sells them at a very reasonable price.
Some merchants exploit the holy month of Ramadan and sell with higher prices," said the statement, adding that "[the LTTC's] sale outlets have an ample supply, which is due to the high demand at this time of the year and to the relatively cheaper prices offered.
The LTTC stated that it currently delivers an average of 600 sheep a day to cope with the increased demand during the month of Ramadan, compared to 200 per day ordinarily. The company vowed to continue supplying the local market's meat needs by increasing its daily export from company farms. An average of 3,500 sheep per day have been sent to government-run slaughterhouses since last Thursday, the company said, predicting that the number would reach 5,000 per day during the last week of Ramadan.
KUWAIT: Despite statements by officials from the authorities concerned with controlling food prices, meat prices in Kuwait continue to be higher than usual as Ramadan approaches. The price of one Arabian sheep has already reached an astronomical KD 120, compared to the KD75 the same type of sheep cost only a few months ago. The reasons behind the increase are the increasing price of cattle fodder, inflation in the Arab region, and the high demand for Arabian sheep on the market, especially in the run-up to and during the month of Ramadan.
A more common choice is the cheaper Australian sheep, which costs less than its Arabian counterpart despite the cost and distance of shipping. Even as the cheaper choice, however, the average price of an Australian sheep at present is KD 45 as opposed to KD 32 before the recent price rises.
Jaber, a disgruntled 48-year old consumer, complained that local stores insist on selling sheep at high prices despite the regulations imposed by the relevant authorities. "In the same store where you pay KD 45 for a sheep, you find a framed paper on the wall that says the price per kilo shouldn't exceed 750 fils. The stores still sell them at a higher price," he said.
A butcher, Abu Ahmad, said that the Livestock Transportation and Trading Company (LTTC), which is the only local supplier of Australian sheep, sells them for a very high price. "The margin for profit is very small; each sheep costs us about KD38 during this season - we are lucky to make a profit of KD5 after the haggling and debating with buyers," he complained.
The LTTC insisted, however, that it is not responsible for the rising prices of non-Australian sheep on the market, asserting that the Ministry of Commerce and the Municipality are responsible for monitoring market prices. In a statement issued to the press, the company pointed out that it is only responsible for importing Australian sheep, claiming that it sells them at a very reasonable price.
Some merchants exploit the holy month of Ramadan and sell with higher prices," said the statement, adding that "[the LTTC's] sale outlets have an ample supply, which is due to the high demand at this time of the year and to the relatively cheaper prices offered.
The LTTC stated that it currently delivers an average of 600 sheep a day to cope with the increased demand during the month of Ramadan, compared to 200 per day ordinarily. The company vowed to continue supplying the local market's meat needs by increasing its daily export from company farms. An average of 3,500 sheep per day have been sent to government-run slaughterhouses since last Thursday, the company said, predicting that the number would reach 5,000 per day during the last week of Ramadan.
© Kuwait Times 2011
