(MENAFN- Arab News) JEDDAH: With Ramadan fast approaching meat markets in the western region are witnessing a rise in prices.
One kilo of bone-in hashi meat is being sold for SR50 while one kilo of boneless hashi is available for SR60. One kilo of boned beef will cost you SR50. Al-Naimi meat is also SR50 per kilo. Prices of heri meat have also increased by up to 20 percent.
Last month heri lamb's carcass retailed at a wholesale price of SR900-950. Prices have now reached SR1700. Livestock traders expect prices to increase by another 30 percent by the end of Ramadan.
Khaled Buqami a local livestock dealer says the retail price of heri lamb has increased to about SR100 to SR150 per kilo. He expects prices to double with the start of Ramadan.
The increase in demand with the start of Ramadan leads to an increase in prices explained Magdi Rashad a meat supplier. Such an increase can translate into a 10 percent hike in prices due to the provision of larger quantities of meat and more labor to serve consumers during the holy month and thus increased salaries for laborers working during fasting hours.
Badr Al-Lahibi a consumer said he prefers local sheep for higher quality and better taste even though prices are up. He stressed the importance of having tight control on prices.
Meanwhile Fahd Al-Salami a member of the board of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce said demand for red meat at this time of the year increases by 30 percent and although meat supplies are readily available in the market prices are likely to increase by 15 percent.
He confirmed there is a lack of demand for camel meat due to concerns about MERS.