Delays in India leads to shortage of animals in UAE markets

Stock from the subcontinent expected to arrive in the next two-three days, say traders

Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Sharjah: The monsoon ban on export of livestock by the Indian government is having an adverse impact on the UAE cattle market ahead of Eid Al Adha, traders told Gulf News.

With only a week to go for Eid Al Adha, the cattle markets in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are facing a shortage of sacrificial animals.

Beginning on September 12 this year, the festival of Eid Al Adha is marked by sacrificing animals such as goats, sheep, cows, bulls and camels.

Traders at Al Ghusais Cattle Market on Sunday said most buyers prefer Indian goats and sheep for sacrifice, and this year the shipments from India have been delayed due to an annual three-month ban which was lifted on September 1.

“Every year, we receive the stock around two weeks before Eid, but this year with just a week to go we are still waiting. The stock is on the way and we are expecting to receive the animals either on Monday or Tuesday,” said Mureed Hussain, a trader who has been in the business for 30 years.