UAE Somali sheep prices rise 40% ahead of Eid Al Adha

Ali Al ShoukFriday May 22, 2026

Livestock costs are on the rise at Dubai’s Al Qusais market ahead of Eid Al Adha. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai’s livestock traders are heading into Eid Al Adha with brisk business — and sharply higher prices — as families prepare for the holiday’s traditional sacrificial feast amid heavy demand and disruption linked to the Iran war.

Vendors in Al Qusais said animal prices have climbed by as much as 40 per cent before the festival, a jump they attribute largely to higher shipping costs after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Kamran Khan, owner of Muhammad Ejaz livestock trading, said prices for animals used in qurbani usually rise in the build-up to Eid Al Adha, but this year’s increase has been amplified by regional tensions.

“Usually before and during Eid, prices of livestock increase due to supply and demand, but with the tension in the region the prices surged,” Mr Khan told The National.

“Prices of transportation also increased, affecting the cost. We used to sell Somali sheep for Dh750 [$204] and today it’s between Dh1,000 and Dh1,100.”

Somali animals are generally shipped by sea, and the pressure on routes through the Strait of Hormuz has pushed up costs, prompting some sellers to look elsewhere — including air freight from India.

Mr Khan, who has worked at the market for 15 years, said there is no shortage of livestock and that more animals are expected over the coming days.

“More livestock will be coming in the next three days from Somalia and India,” he said. “Some is not available now, like from Australia or Georgia, as it imported as raw meat only.”

Business set to boom

He said the market becomes especially busy before sunset in the final days leading up to Eid Al Adha, which begins on Wednesday.

Among the festival’s most important customs is qurbani, or udhiyah, the ritual slaughter of an animal such as a sheep, goat, cow or camel. The meat is usually shared with relatives, friends and people in need.

“Next week will be very busy for us, as many will come to buy a sheep or a cow to sacrifice it for Eid. It is a tradition. Most people come to buy Somali livestock as it cheaper.”

Mr Khan said many buyers also favour local Awassi sheep, a breed originally from the Levant and Mesopotamia, because of its tender, flavourful meat. “It is naturally resilient to desert climate and thrives in the UAE, too. The price is around Dh2,500.”

Sellers said the cost of large Pakistani cows has also increased, rising from Dh7,000 to Dh10,000.

Mohammed Yakob, 40, who owns a yard in the market, said several pressures have pushed his asking price higher.

“The animal feed increased in cost,” Mr Yakob said. “The closure of Strait of Hormuz affected the prices because the shipping fees became more.”

By air and sea

The Pakistani owner, who has been working in the market for 20 years, said livestock from India arrives by air, while Somali animals come by sea.

“The prices of the livestock from the imported countries surged too,” he said.

Buying early

Mahmoud Al Hajj, 35, from Egypt, went to the market on Thursday, six days before Eid Al Adha starts, to avoid paying even more next week.

“Usually, prices increase one day before Eid so I decided to buy a sheep and keep it in my friend’s farm. Next week I will take the sheep back to the slaughterhouse to sacrifice,” he said. “The market has a big variety of sheep but the prices are high.”

He said he was not surprised that customers are paying more, given the strain the Strait of Hormuz conflict has placed on supply chains.

“With the conflict, the shipping cost increased. It is a domino effect,” he said.

Final preparations

Dubai Municipality said the emirate’s abattoirs were fully prepared for the expected surge in sacrificial animal requests over the coming days.

Abdulla Al Abbasi, manager of the abattoir section at Dubai Municipality, told The National that Dubai’s slaughterhouses can process up to 1,000 animals an hour.

About 20,000 sacrificial animals are expected to be processed in Dubai for this year’s Eid Al Adha festival.

“Preparations have been completed in the five abattoirs in Dubai. It is part of an integrated operational plan designed to deliver efficient, safe and high-quality service throughout the Eid time,” Mr Al Abbasi said.

“The facilities will provide a comprehensive range of services covering all stages of the sacrificial process, beginning with veterinary inspection of livestock, before and after slaughter, and extending through to meat preparation and packaging.”

Services will be supervised by 45 qualified medical and veterinary specialists to ensure the highest levels of hygiene and food safety.

Operational teams include 40 supervisors, more than 200 butchers and at least 160 other workers.

Mr Al Abbasi urged people to apply online for sacrificial animal requests. “We have a collaboration with three approved applications that provide end-to-end services. People can purchase the animal through the apps and the meat will be delivered without need to visit the markets or abattoirs.”