Livestock prices skyrocket in Asir

(MENAFN- Arab News) ABHA: Livestock and meat prices have skyrocketed by 20 percent in Asir forcing many to turn to cheaper imported products a local publication reported Thursday.
Saeed Al-Asmari a livestock merchant said it is expected that prices would increase by 30 percent in the coming days because of rising demand.
Fayez Al-Asmari a trader said that the wholesale price of a sheep rose from SR900 to SR1200 and was between SR1000 and SR1500 at retail outlets. He expects prices to rise even further.
Several meat sellers in Abha said prices have been rising over the past few months leading up to Ramadan because livestock traders had raised their prices.
Imad Al-Souri a meat seller in Abha said prices rose between 5 and 10 percent at the start of Ramadan because of increasing demand. Merchants have to hire more workers which means higher wage costs. Many consumers were now buying cheaper imported meat he said.
Ibrahim Majthal said that he rather buys sheep even though prices have risen. Consumers have been avoiding camel meat because they fear contracting the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus he said.
Abdulmajeed Shrouq said the government must conduct more surprise inspections because many people dispose of their sick livestock cheaply in the early hours of the morning or late in the evening.
A source in the Asir municipality said inspectors conduct inspections when they receive complaints from the public. There are penalties for violators he said.