Meat prices up 30% for Ramadan?

Traders fear the price of meat is likely to increase by up to 30 per cent, especially during the Holy month of Ramadan this year following new fees on import of livestock to the local markets.

According to a report in Emarat Al Youm, the Ministry of Environment and Water’s approval to hike fees - in its new regulation on livestock traders in the UAE - will in turn increase meat prices in the next few months.

Traders have called for a review of the ministerial decree. They demand an independent committee to be set up to meet with importers and review the decision. Traders opine that they cannot afford the new government fees because of a margin of just 10 per cent of the sales transactions.

Traders have also asked for the temporary abolition of the charges on import permits and to replace the same with a temporary fee [Dh10] until the completion of the study.

According to the new regulation, traders have to pay fees to import livestock through ports in the UAE.

One trader confirmed that he paid Dh12,000 as fees as per the new regulation, while he had been paying just Dh3,500 for similar shipments in the past.

Saif Al-Shara’a, Undersecretary for Agricultural Affairs and Livestock, said the new charges were in accordance with the Cabinet decision No. 14 of 2014 on service fees and the Ministry of Environment and Water .

He added that the resolution comprise amended fee structure for ministerial services; issuance and renewal of licences;  examination of livestock and agricultural products; release of parcels; import and export permissions, etc.

Saif Al-Shara’a said the decision was taken after a study by an advisory body, which reviewed fees in neighbouring countries and other nations across the world.

Abdullah M, a livestock trader, said the hike in fee is a real threat to his business. He said this will force him seek higher prices from retail traders, who in turn will charge consumers more.

Salem Al-Maslahi, another livestock dealer, also said that after reviewing the new fee structure, the hike would be anything between 25 and 30 per cent, which will indirectly be levied on the end-consumer.

He said the fees are different for different animals and purpose. For instance, sheep and goats are released for breeding purpose at the rate of Dh100 per head, while cows, buffalo and camel come for Dh200 per head. However, no one can say for sure if these would be slaughtered, especially during the Ramadan month and particularly for Eid.

Mohammed Abdul Malik Ahli, another livestock trader, said the decision came as a surprise and added that this will force them to charge dealers more who in turn will charge consumers.

He added that the fee hike also include small animals such as rabbits. He explained that a rabbit costs up to Dh35, while the ministry is imposing a fee of Dh100 to import a rabbit into the country.

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