The unjust economic blockade imposed on Qatar by its neighbours Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain has had no impact on the supply of sacrificial animals during Eid Al Adha, sources at the livestock market in Doha said. The increasing local supply and imports from Sudan, Jordan, Iran and Oman have ensured sufficient supply of goats, sheep and camels in the country, the sources added.
It is noteworthy that Qatar increased livestock imports from other friendly countries recently in order to overcome the anticipated shortage of sacrificial animals owing to the restrictions on its supply to Qatar through Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Mohamed Mater Aldosari, director of Aldosari Park in Shahaniya and an agriculturist, said: "Qatari traders anticipated shortage of sacrificial animals in the country during Eid owing to the blockade and therefore, decided to import from Sudan, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran." Besides, the authorities have imported considerable number of animals from Australia for Eid Al Adha.
A vendor at the livestock market in Doha said: "First two consignments of animals from Oman have already reached Al Ruwais Port. An additional consignment of 1,000 sheep is expected to arrive any moment before the first day of Eid Al Adha." The vendors at the market also ruled out any possibility of overpricing of sacrificial animals. "We are in regular contact with our counterparts in Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman. Our supply chain with Oman, Sudan and Syria is also strong." The vendors at the market said that the local supply of sacrificial animals has also increased.
Violating all norms of a civilised society, Saudi Arabia had driven thousands of animals to Qatar since the blockade. Qatari agriculturists and traders sheltered the animals driven away from Saudi Arabia. Hydrose Ahmed, who works at a farm in Abu Samra area, said:"We had to expand our farm, temporarily, to accommodate the additional animals after Saudi Arabia drove them away. Many of these animals are ready for sale at the farm." Vendors at the market also felt that thousands of animals driven from Saudi Arabia and settled in different farms will offer considerable number of animals during Eid days.
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