Livestock merchants in Hafr Al-Batin expect the price of sacrificial lamb to reach SR1,500. Other merchants expect prices to peak at SR1,800 in Dammam. Livestock markets in Hafr Al-Batin began witnessing increased demand during the second half of September.

Prices are expected to gradually decline by the end of Eid Al-Adha. Mohammad Al-Mutairi, a merchant, said places like Qasim, Riyadh, Al-Bubail, Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Ahsa, and Dammam signed contracts to receive large numbers of livestock for Eid Al-Adha.

He said Hafr Al-Batin, one of the Kingdom’s major markets, has already begun supplying other markets with sacrificial lamb.

Preparations for the season usually begin 10 days before Eid. Merchants sign contracts to buy livestock following Eid Al-Fitr.

Merchant Matar Al-Shammari said buying livestock is primarily concentrated in Al-Naimi and that prices gradually increase as Eid approaches.

Prices in Hafr Al-Batin differ from other parts of the Kingdom because it is the primary supplier for other provinces.