By Taylor Luck

SAHAB - In Sahab, the epicentre of the Kingdom’s cattle trade, citizens are struggling to strike a fine balance between Eid Al Adha traditions and economic realities.

Concluding the pilgrimage and commemorating Abraham's willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son, the purchase and slaughtering of sheep and other livestock is a vital aspect to the holiday feast, the most important in the Muslim calendar.

But in light of rising fodder prices in addition to increased prices of other basic commodities, traders said citizens have been more hesitant to make purchases.

With the youngest and lightest Jordanian-raised lamb, around 25kg, being sold for JD90, nearly the price of a full 60kg sheep a year ago, traders and customers alike expect to have a lighter than normal holiday.

Hani Hamadah, 52, who has been selling sheep and camels at a market on the outskirts of Sahab for the last 20 years, said this year has been a particularly difficult Eid holiday.

“It has become so expensive to raise cattle, especially camels. Sales have been rough,” he admitted, adding that at prices ranging between JD2,000 and JD3,000, he has only been able to sell two camels this holiday season.

With his pen still abundant with full-sized local sheep being sold for up to JD210, he added that he might have to abandon the sector next year.

Omar, a 45-year-old bank manager, said that although his extended family traditionally purchases a camel to sacrifice to mark the holiday, he and his relatives opted this year to buy separate sheep.

“We cannot afford it this year. We tried looking at purchasing cows, but cattle prices have also gone up. We have to go smaller this Eid,” he told The Jordan Times, adding that his children were disappointed that they could not choose a camel this year.

Local cattle farmers and traders also said they were facing difficulties with the influx of Romanian and Australian sheep, which are being sold from JD110-JD135 a head, and Syrian sheep being sold at the Civil Service Consumer Corporation for JD150 a head.

“Everyone wants local meat, but when the price difference is 50, 70 and 90 dinars, we cannot compete,” said 32-year-old Abu Ahmad as he tended to his flock.

Abu Hamzeh, a 65-year-old resident, said for the first time in his life he will purchase a non-locally raised sheep to slaughter in observation of the Hajj season.

“They do not taste as good, but an imported sheep is better than no sheep at all,” he noted.

Business hasn’t been bad for all citizens.

Ayad Khalil, a 47-year-old sheep trader, said that he is making profits off the amount of sales of Romanian sheep.

“I am not used to selling this many imported sheep, but there is definitely a demand for it,” he noted, adding that he has sold over 200 heads of cattle during the past week.

Meanwhile, Abu Hamzeh said he was looking forward to this year’s feast, no matter the cattle type or origin.

“We all must make our sacrifice this season,” he noted.