As a precautionary measure, some citizens began buying little goats to raise them at home and use them to sacrifice during Eid Al-Adha. Citizens say that they will not wait for the prices to slowly increase and reach a level where they cannot afford them anymore.

Some citizens interviewed said that the rising living costs and prices of commodities had reached a level where middle-income people could not afford paying for a sacrificial goat anymore.

Fahd Al-Otaibi, a Saudi citizen, said, "Prices of livestock keep increasing, especially with the approach of Eid Al-Adha. The price of one goat increases to SR1,200, which is a very high price compared with off-season prices. Livestock businessmen keep on saying that the law of supply and demand is the reason behind the price increase."

Saudi citizen Abdullah Al-Fahmi said that the Ministry of Commerce should monitor the prices. He said that there was a large number of goats in the market, and yet the prices were rising unacceptably.

He said that the only reason behind it were greedy businessmen, who should be punished.

"I decided to buy goats early to avoid the price increase later. I expected the prices to decline this year, but there is no sign of this," Al-Fahmi commented.

Ali Al-Ghamdi said that his favorite brand of goats cost SR800 in normal times and could reach SR1,400 during Haj. He said he found it logical to buy it now and keep it in the backyard until Haj.

Livestock businessmen, on the other hand, defended the price increase saying that they had to because of price increases in fodder and rent. They agreed that the increase was justifiable and normal and within the limit.