AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture has begun early preparations for the upcoming Eid Al Adha season through a plan aimed at securing sufficient meat supplies and maintaining market stability in the coming period, Assistant Secretary-General for Livestock at the Ministry Misbah Tarawneh said on Thursday. 

 

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Tarawneh said that around 500,000 local sacrificial sheep are available this year, a figure similar to last year’s supply.

 

The holiday, which falls on the 10th day of the 12th month of the Hijri calendar, Dhul Hijja, is the feast marking the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which Muslims of sufficient means are required to perform at least once in their lifetime.

 

Eid Al Adha means “feast of sacrifice”, and during the holiday Muslims slaughter livestock, cattle or camels and distribute the meat to underprivileged people.

 

Tarawneh said that the price of locally bred sheep is expected to remain close to last year’s levels, ranging between JD5 and JD5.5 per kilogramme live weight.

 

He said that daily slaughter rates during Eid are expected to range between 100,000 and 120,000 sheep, with the number potentially reaching a maximum of 150,000.

 

The official also noted that Jordan has imported 250,000 sheep from 21 approved countries of origin, including Romania and Ukraine, in addition to importing 22,000 calves from Brazil, Colombia, Romania and Australia.

 

According to Tarawneh, the imports aim to increase market supply, prevent shortages of meat products, help stabilise prices and ease the financial burden on consumers while meeting heightened demand for meat and sacrificial livestock during the Eid.

 

Regarding import costs, Tarawneh said that expenses vary depending on the country of origin and related shipping, insurance and transport charges imposed on consignments.