The rising cost of keeping and breeding sheep has discouraged a number of livestock owners from expanding their business in spite of the support and subsidies given by the entities concerned, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported.
Some livestock owners said that the high retail prices of sheep at the local market are mainly due to the high cost of running the business.
Even though fodder and veterinary medicines are subsidised, they explained that they need to buy green fodder and other fattening fodders and vitamins at a very high cost in addition to certain drugs needed to keep the animals healthy.
Further, there are various monthly payments that the owner has to make such as water and electricity bills, workers' salaries and in some cases the cost of renting a barn at any of the central markets, which can be up to QR2,000 a month.
Other issues faced by the local owners include the reduced number of newborn sheep and restrictions on direct imports of sheep from the source, forcing livestock owners to buy from neighbouring countries at higher prices.
Saqr al-Tamimi said that the average cost of keeping 150 head of sheep amounts to QR10,000 a month, which is a big sum compared to the expected profit as most livestock owners would not make more than QR30,000 in sales a year.
He noted that this means that some owners could only make around 25% of their spending.
Accordingly, he said, the recent hikes in retail prices is normal and acceptable.
Mubarak al-Dossari said that many Qatari livestock owners would not like to expand their production because of the cost of operation.
He noted that the average price of a 30kg local breed sheep amounted to QR2,000, which is very high compared to the prices seen earlier.
He said that this could be mainly due to the dwindling supply compared to the increasing demand.
Jabir al-Marri said that due to the shortage in supply of locally produced sheep, the prices have increased to unprecedented rates.
He also mooted the creation of more regulated markets.
