‘Livestock supply to surpass demand to prevent price hikes for Eid sacrifice’

AMMAN — The amount of livestock in the local market for Eid Al Adha will surpass the demand in a bid to control prices, the Ministry of Agriculture said on Monday.

“There are currently more than 400,000 heads of imported sheep, around 200,000 heads of local cattle and a large number of local and imported calves and camels. Livestock in the local market now stands at around one-million heads,” Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin said.

In Eid Al Adha, the feast marking the end of the pilgrimage season, Muslims of sufficient means are required to sacrifice livestock in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail to God.

Haddadin underscored that local demand for Eid sacrifices ranges between 400,000 and 500,000 heads of cattle and sheep.

This year, Eid Al Adha is expected to fall during the last week of September, according to the Islamic lunar calendar.

“The ministry is keen on providing the local market with sufficient amounts of livestock from different countries for Eid Al Adha in order to control prices,” Haddadin said.

This year, Jordan imported cattle and sheep from Romania, Australia and Sudan among other countries, according to the spokesperson, who noted that demand for imported sheep is higher compared to local livestock, because their prices “are much lower”.

Traders start selling sheep in designated stockyards around the city a few days before Eid Al Adha starts. The first day of Eid is marked on Dhul Hijja 10 in the Hijri calendar.

Greater Amman Municipality regulations stipulate that livestock pens must be located far from residential areas.