Weak economy affects season of Eid sacrifices in Gaza

Gaza depend’s mainly on imports of cattle, sheep, and goats from Australia, Romania, Israel and sometimes Egypt.

A livestock seen at market before Eid ul Adha in Gaza, on August 27, 2017 [Mohammad Asad / Middle East Monitor]

The ministry of agriculture in Gaza has announced that there are more than 12,000 cattle and 30,000 sheep and goats ready for the Eid sacrifice in the enclave.

The ministry expects the number of cattle will increase in coming days to reach 15,000 in order to meet the demands for the Eid sacrifice.

According to the ministry, the number of people offering the sacrifice this year is less than previous years. This, it notes, is a consequence of the economic recession and ongoing electricity crisis that limits their ability to refrigerate meat.

Despite the low prices, compared to previous years, the ministry expects the number of cattle to be sacrificed would be around 9,000.

The ministry said that the price of one kilo of live meat ranges between 14 and 16 Israeli Shekels (US$4 to $4.5) and that of sheep and goats between $5 and $6. An average cow weighs 720 kg while an average sheep weighs 100 kg, meaning prices could be $3,240 for cows and $600 for sheep.

Gaza depend’s mainly on imports of cattle, sheep, and goats from Australia, Romania, Israel and sometimes Egypt.

Exclusive images by Mohammad Asad.

A livestock seen at market before Eid ul Adha in Gaza, on August 27, 2017 [Mohammad Asad / Middle East Monitor]

A livestock seen at market before Eid ul Adha in Gaza, on 27 August, 2017 [Mohammad Asad/Middle East Monitor]

A livestock seen at market before Eid ul Adha in Gaza, on August 27, 2017 [Mohammad Asad / Middle East Monitor]

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