Enough sheep for Eid, say livestock market workers
KUWAIT: A week before Eid Al-Adha, the livestock market in Al-Rai is almost empty. Yesterday morning, Kuwait Times saw some workers fixing pens to hold the sheep in time for the feast of sacrifice. “The live sheep will be transferred here starting tomorrow. You can’t see any here because they are still in the holding areas - besides it’s too hot here,” one of the workers said.
Eid Al-Adha is one of the holiest celebrations in the Islamic calendar, when sheep are traditionally slaughtered and the meat is distributed to friends and family and the needy. According to workers in the area, sheep from various countries are already in Kuwait, and are currently at various farms and holding areas. The workers assured there are enough animals for the feast and beyond. “We do not display them here because it is too hot. We will set up some shade for the sheep so they are not exposed to the sun,” said Khamel, a worker.
Prices of the sheep vary. “Prices range from KD 60 to KD 120. It depends on the size of the sheep and its origin. Australian sheep is cheaper because we have lots of stocks, but local sheep is expensive,” Khamel noted.
Kuwait Times also checked the price of lamb at Souq Mubarakiya and some supermarkets around Kuwait. In Souq Mubarakiya, price of lamb per kilogram is ranging from KD2.5 and KD3.5 for the Australian Lamb. Prices are similar in supermarkets, which also sell frozen lamb from Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, India and Iran at varying prices.