Low demand for sacrificial animals in Gaza

Livestock traders in Gaza are worried by an apparent decrease in consumer demand for meat imported into the strip for Eid al-Adha or the feast of sacrifice, marking the end of the Muslim pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.

The approaching Muslim holiday includes livestock slaughter as a part of traditional sacrifice rituals and distributing the meat among relatives and the poor.

Traders bought large quantities of sacrificial animals in anticipation of the usual high holiday consumption.

But this year, Gaza consumers are holding back due to sharp price rises caused by the 40 percent hike in the price of fodder caused by the global crisis of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Livestock traders say government employees – who make up the bulk of salaried workers in Gaza – lack personal cash flow.

Their difficult living conditions have led to a slump in the sales of sacrificial animals by over 60 percent this year. Low demand despite large quantities of cattle and sheep in markets could cause traders to incur heavy losses.

Nevertheless, Gaza markets are buzzing with residents coming to see the Eid livestock markets as they determine their family’s holiday food budget.