JEDDAH, 20 January 2005 — While residents around the Kingdom complain of increased sheep prices during Haj, sheep traders explain that it is due to the high seasonal market demand.
According to sheep traders in the Jeddah market prices of the animal have gone up by SR150 per head this year compared to last year’s prices. They say one reason for the increase is the high demand for sheep in the market.
Khaled Al-Otaibi, a Saudi merchant in the market, said that sheep prices have gone up during the Haj season. “But it’s not a normal seasonal increase; it’s something else”.
Pointing at a large sheep, black with a white head, Al-Otaibi said, “Alnuami breed in some cases have reached over a SR1,000 per head”.
He added: “I have been in the business for 15 years and this is the first time that such a thing has occurred.”
Asked why, the 40-year-old trader replied that the number of sheep in the market had gone down. The majority of sheep in the market are young due to existing high market demand.
Mufrih Al-Sulami, a 63-year-old merchant, said prices are up by SR100 to SR150 per head for all breeds of sheep. He attributed the hike to a number of factors, one of which is the increase in fodder prices.
Al-Sulami, who has been in the business for 50 years, said the entry of many amateur merchants is another reason. These inexperienced merchants raise the bid too high forcing us to follow suit, Al-Sulami added.
