• Home

Mutton prices shoot up in festive season

ABU DHABI — While the prices of fruit and vegetables have started showing a downward trend after the peak witnessed at the beginning of Ramadan, meat continues to be an expensive proposition in the markets.

A visit to Mina market here showed that the prices of meat remained high even after almost two weeks of Ramadan.

The Australian mutton was sold at Dh16–17, local meat at around Dh17–18 and the meat from Pakistan at Dh22.

Mohammed Sabdah, one of the butchers in Al Mina, said he was forced to keep the prices high because of the wholesalers.

“If they give us expensive meat we have no choice but to sell it at a higher price,” he told Khaleej Times.

Just before Ramadan, prices of Pakistani lamb and Austrailian meat were Dh18 and Dh12 respectively.

“Today I bought Pakistani mutton at Dh20.60 from the wholesaler, so I have to offer it at Dh22 to make some profit,” said Mohammed Mustaat, another butcher at Al Mina.

Complaining about price instability he also mentioned that Indian mutton was not at all available since it is far too expensive.

Sana Ouni, a customer looking to buy meat, was quite disappointed with price increases. “They should give us good offers in Ramadan, not hike the prices for no reason. It is shameful of them to take advantage of the situation in the holy month, but they get away with it as there is no official control over prices," she regretted.

On the fruit and vegetables stalls, the situation has improved, mostly due to an increase in supplies.

A 10-kg bag of potatoes which had been earlier priced at Dh35(in the first week of Ramadan) is now costing just Dh12. Cucumber prices have also dropped from Dh25 per 10kg, to Dh5 per 10kg. while Iranian watermelon is selling at Dh1 per kg and tomatoes at Dh3 (from Dh23).

• UAE