Dubai: Some Qurbani prices start at Dh12,000, surge up to 80% ahead of Eid Al Adha
Muhammed Azam, an Indian expat and engineer working at a payment gateway firm, was taken aback when he visited the Al Qusais cattle market on Saturday evening. The reason? The prices of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid Al Adha had jumped far beyond his expectations.
'I bought a Somali ox for about Dh6,000 in 2023, and it weighed almost 450kg. But now, the same size starts at Dh10,000. That's over a 60 per cent increase,' said Azam.
He had traveled to his hometown in Kerala in Eid 2024 and missed last year's market pricing. 'I thought I could manage with a budget of Dh10,000 this year. But here, even the goats are starting from Dh1,200,' he added.
Khaleej Times visited Al Qusais livestock market and spoke to several buyers and sellers, who confirmed the sharp price increase. Compared to just two years ago, the cost of sacrificial animals has increased by 60 to 80 percent.
At the market, here are the current prices:
Significant price jump
Pakistani resident Abdul Shakoor, who was visiting the market to buy a sacrificial animal for Eid Al Adha, said this is the third year he has been buying from the same seller, and the price jump is significant.
'Two years ago, I paid around Dh1,600 for a decent goat. Now, they are asking Dh2,800 for the same size — and that's after bargaining,' he said.
'This Eid is important to us, but it's getting harder for middle-income families to afford the qurbani (sacrifice). I might have to share with a friend and buy an ox,' he added.
Why have prices increased?
Mohammed Usman, a livestock trader from Pakistan who has been selling animals in the UAE for eight years, explained that the price hike was inevitable this year.
'We are getting animals from suppliers at much higher rates. (Costs for) feed, transport, taxes have all increased. For example, transporting animals from Pakistan or India is much more expensive than it was three years ago,' he said.
Traders also pointed to the limited availability of animals. 'There is high demand this year and limited supply. Prices rise automatically when there are more buyers and fewer animals,' he added.
Lala Khan, another trader at the market, said he has been in Dubai for fifteen years and hasn't seen this kind of price increase before.
'We have sold goats for Dh500 to Dh700 in previous years. Now, even the smallest Somali goat is at least Dh1,000 to Dh1,200. People are angry, but we also have no choice,' he said.
With prices expected to rise further as Eid approaches, shoppers are advised to book early.
'Demand for sacrificial animals is huge now, and buyers have already started purchasing. Due to the surge in demand, prices may rise even more as Eid Al Adha nears,' said Khan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
27 minutes ago
- The National
One-bedroom unit for Dh3.5m at Abu Dhabi's Fahid Island project
A one-bedroom unit at the new Fahid Island development in Abu Dhabi is priced from Dh3.5 million ($953,029) onwards, according to developer Aldar Properties, amid soaring property demand. The massive project, which has a gross development value of Dh40 billion, will be built in phases, with the first residential development – Fahid Beach Residences, with seven buildings – expected to be complete by 2029. Spread across 2.7 million square metres, with an 11km coastline, Fahid Island will be built between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. It will have amenities including running tracks and cycling routes, with 30 per cent of space dedicated to natural spaces. Fahid Island is 'little bit more than just residential", Jonathan Emery, chief executive of Aldar Development, said during the launch of the project. 'This is sort of a destinational street. The beach is designed to draw, not just residents, but other people to come and enjoy that amenity. The quality of the school, which will shortly be announced, will also say this is not a normal residential [project] and there's something special going on here.' The island's waterfront promenade will have a mix of retail, dining and art experiences. Coral Drive, the island's boutique retail boulevard, will have outlets, concept stores, art galleries, a ballet school, cafes and public artworks. Kite surfing, paddle boarding, illuminated night swimming, and volleyball will also available to residents of the island. 'We would expect international interest in this location. I think it's got many ingredients that people would look to as a place they'd want to live. It's incredibly attractive to people from all over the world,' Mr Emery said. 'We also have a lot of local customers who have been with us loyally from the start, and they know Abu Dhabi well, and they've been like, 'When is Fahid coming?' Now they've seen it, people are very excited.' Residential property sale prices in Abu Dhabi rose by 11 per cent annually last year amid higher demand and a supply shortage in the emirate, according to a March report by real estate company Cushman & Wakefield Core. The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre reported that total transaction value in the emirate grew by 34.5 per cent to Dh25.3 billion across 6,896 deals in the first quarter of 2025, compared with Dh18.8 billion from 5,773 transactions in the same period of 2024. Off-plan sales in April across the UAE capital were up 75 per cent month-on-month at Dh804 million, driven by an increase in activity on Saadiyat Island and Al Jubail Island, EFG Hermes said last week. Aldar Properties accounted for the largest off-plan market share, contributing 70 per cent of off-plan activity in April. The announcement of a Disneyland Abu Dhabi theme park on Yas Island has further supported the property market. 'Disney clearly had an enormous positive impact the UAE and Abu Dhabi, primarily, it's just increased people's understanding of Abu Dhabi," Mr Emery said. 'There are many things that have put us on the map, but that is another thing that has really raised the profile. And anything that raises the profile supports Abu Dhabi, investment in Abu Dhabi … we've certainly seen an uptick in interest in investing, in moving here and investing in real estate since Disney.'
Gulf Business
34 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Sharjah: 400 new government jobs approved
Image credit: Getty Images Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved 400 new government jobs in the emirate, which will be filled after the Eid Al Adha holiday. Read- The Sharjah Ruler also approved the implementation plan for the Sharjah Programme to Qualify and Train Job Seekers. The initiative will run from July 1 to December 31, 2025, with a total budget of Dhs55.8m. The programme aims to enhance employment opportunities and support national talent. Meanwhile, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Energy Council, chaired the council's second meeting on Monday morning. The Council members were briefed on the latest developments in the energy sector and the performance of relevant entities. Highlights included projects to diversify energy sources, advance systems and technologies in line with international standards, and support carbon reduction and neutrality goals. The council also reviewed the outcomes of recent work visits to countries leading in sustainable energy and water practices. Discussions included future project proposals aimed at expanding clean energy sources and optimising the use of natural resources without harming the environment.
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
UAE announces new rules for overseas students
The UAE has announced new rules for students looking to study overseas as it looks to enhance employment prospects for future graduates. The Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD) has approved a set of criteria for Emirati students who wish to pursue their higher education outside the UAE. The criteria aim to enhance student's competence and readiness to enter the job market, and to regulate international scholarship options in accordance with the UAE's aspirations, national plans, priority sectors, and future developments, thereby supporting the optimal investment in Emirati talents. UAE overseas study rules Through this initiative, the Council aims to empower students to make well-informed decisions based on clear criteria that ensures the quality of selected programs and academic institutions. It also seeks to enhance the value of the qualifications they obtain, supporting their future career opportunities both within the UAE and abroad. These criteria are derived from a clear vision to elevate the higher education experience abroad, by guiding students toward accredited and high-quality academic institutions and specialisations. Students wishing to enrol in a higher education institution outside the UAE, whether at their own expense or through a sponsoring entity, are required to study at institutions recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in accordance with the following approved classifications and standards: The institution must be ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide in the intended field of study, regardless of overall ranking or country, according to the Ministry's approved international rankings, or If studying in the United States or Australia, the institution must be ranked among the world's top 100 universities in the intended field of study, and among the top 100 universities overall, according to the Ministry's approved international rankings, or If studying in any other English-speaking country (excluding the USA and Australia), the institution must be ranked among the world's top 200 universities in the intended field and among the top 200 universities overall, according to the Ministry's approved international rankings, or If studying in a non-English-speaking country, the institution must be ranked among the world's top 300 universities in the intended field and among the top 300 universities overall, according to the Ministry's approved international rankings The Council emphasised the importance of adhering to the specified criteria to avoid non-recognition of qualifications obtained abroad. Non-compliance may result in these qualifications not being acknowledged for purposes such as employment, promotion, study leave, exam leave, thesis discussion, or eligibility for qualification-related benefits within the federal government sector in the UAE. To ensure a transparent and a balanced approach, taking into account special cases, Emirati students who are currently pursuing their studies abroad, whether self-funded or sponsored by a scholarship entity, will be granted a one-year grace period from the effective date of this decision to adjust their academic status. A specialised committee, chaired by the General Secretariat of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council has been established to review exemption requests. The committee will assess these requests based on precise criteria that consider the nature of the specialization, the academic institution, and the individual circumstances of each case, to support the students' best interests and enhance their educational and career opportunities. The Council also instructs the students and the relevant parties to communicate directly with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for inquiries related to the approved criteria and the process for submitting exemption requests. This mechanism is part of a broader set of policies and initiatives being developed by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council in coordination with relevant entities. These efforts are designed to enhance the quality of higher education, strengthen accreditation recognition system, and support Emirati students both within and outside the UAE. Such initiatives contribute to empowering Emirati talents, developing human capital, and nurturing generations equipped with the skills, capabilities, and knowledge that align with the UAE's aspirations and reflects its vision for the future.
