Eid preparations, war on Gaza contribute to lower meat demand in the Kingdom — stakeholders

AMMAN — The second week of Ramadan has seen a noticeable drop in meat consumption and demand across the Kingdom, according to a stakeholders.

Zaal Kawaleet, President of the Livestock Breeders Association, told The Jordan Times that this year’s Ramadan has seen a significant decrease in meat sales compared with the same period last year. He attributed this slump to the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

Kawaleet noted a 50 per cent decline in demand for red meat during the early days of Ramadan but has since dropped to a low of 35 per cent. He also pointed out that as people begin preparations for Eid Al Fitr, the last ten days of the month typically see lower sales.

Kawaleet also highlighted that the Kingdom exports hundreds of thousands of sheep to Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which bolsters the business of sector operators and enhances their liquidity.

He also said that the livestock sector employs approximately 80,000 individuals, the majority of whom are Jordanians.

Abu Mahmoud, a butcher based in Amman, told The Jordan Times that the final week or two of Ramadan marks a turning point when demand for meat, and certain foods in general, begins to decline as people shift their focus to Eid preparations, noting noted that demand has decreased by around 15 per cent during the last five days.