Imports of South American livestock approved

The animals from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay are expected to help satisfy the demand for meat, local Arabic daily Al-Madinah reported Thursday, quoting Jaber Al-Shihri, undersecretary at the ministry.
“The ministry is keen to provide meat to consumers at a reasonable price,” he said, adding that meat prices in the Kingdom are low compared to other countries.
The official expected the decision to improve both meat products and prices in the country.
The Kingdom currently imports about 5 million heads of livestock annually from Australia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Jordan and Mongolia. Local production covers about 40 percent of the demand.