RIYADH: With the onset of Ramadan, the meat market in Riyadh has seen a noticeable rise in the price of various popular varieties.
“The price of meat in general and young camel meat in particular has risen by more than 20 percent. Demand has increased this month compared to previous months,” said Abdul Kareem, a butcher in the southern part of Riyadh.
“Before Ramadan, a quarter of a young camel was being sold for SR700. The price has now increased to SR850,” he said, referring to the common practice of selling camels in quarters.
Hani Al-Sayyid, a worker at a slaughterhouse in the eastern part of Riyadh, said, “The price of local mutton has also gone up so much that customers are finding tender camel meat, beef and frozen imported sheep cheaper. Imported sheep (usually from Australia or South America) is now being sold for SR25 per kg while before Ramadan it was SR20 per kg. Beef is sold at SR40 per kg when it was sold for SR32 before.” He said the price of an entire local sheep ranges from SR900 to SR1,300. “A quarter of a SR900 sheep will be sold at SR300. The price is still very high compared to imported sheep. That is why most butchers sell frozen meat,” he said.
Saudi customers in the central Saudi Arabia generally prefer tender camel meat (known in Arabic as Hashi). The meat is mostly used in special Ramadan dishes such as soups and sambousa.
Abdullah Al-Meshari, a Saudi shopper, told Arab News that the price of all items has recently been rising. “Whatever may the price be I love to eat tender camel meat during the month,” he said.
