KUWAIT: With Eid Al-Adha just around the corner, the livestock market in Al-Rai is witnessing an unreasonable price hike. The demand for sheep has driven the price of Nuaimi sheep up to KD 220, depending on the breed, source, age, and size. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Bu Rashed, one of the sheep vendors at Al-Rai sheep market, noted it is natural for prices to rise due to the lack of supply and the imports.

He added that this year’s prices are higher than last year’s, explaining that last year, the cost of local Nuaimi sheep ranged between KD 130-150 but now, it is starting at 180 and exceeding KD 200, depending on the weight and type of the sheep.

Bu Rashed explained that most customers prefer the local Nuaimi over the imported ones because of the superior quality of its meat. Additionally, the local sheep are favored as the imported ones often endure stress from the lengthy transportation between countries.

A man selling sheep waits for customers at a market in Kuwait ahead of Eid Al-Adha. -- Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

A Sheep stands in a pen at a market in Kuwait City, waiting to be sold ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the "Feast of Sacrifice", on June 10, 2024.

A man selling sheep waits for customers at a market.

Kuwaitis purchase sheep at a market.

For his part, Budair said that the source of the sheep and its age plays an important role in determining the cost, noting that the prices differ, where local Nuaimi range between KD 190 and 220, while the Jordanian Nuaimi price starts from KD 130 to 150 and the Saudi Nuaimi costs KD 150 to 190. He continued that some types are considered good and at a reasonable price, namely the Syrian imported sheep, whose price ranges between KD 90 and 100, and Shefali sheep which ranges between KD 60 and 75, while the Somalian sheep range between KD 50 to 55.

Meanwhile, Aziz Allah said that most customers now demand to buy 6-month-old sheep due to their tender meat. Regarding how to select a sheep, He called people to be aware, that they should only sacrifice healthy sheep, asking customers to check the teeth and horns “Customers must ensure the sheep has no cuts in its ears or wounds. The sheep must be active, and people must avoid any sheep that are inactive or have their heads down. Importantly, to check that the sheep’s teeth, horns, and legs in addition to checking his mouth and eyes to make sure there are no visible secretions to ensure they are in good health,” he pointed out.