Kingdom’s meat prices drop amid claims to import sheep meat from Georgia

AMMAN — Imports of sheep meat from Georgia in the upcoming period are expected to lead to an additional drop in local meat prices.

Promises from a Jordanian livestock retailer in Georgia to make meat prices affordable for everyone in the Kingdom have already begun to affect the prices of local meat.

A Jordanian livestock owner and retailer, currently in Georgia, claimed that he will start exporting Georgian sheep to the Kingdom by next week. His sheep prices will be affordable and will not exceed JD80 per sheep, according to a video that went viral on social media.

He also claimed that “the meat of sheep in Georgia tastes exactly like the meat of sheep in Jordan”, adding that his motive behind the action was because “many Jordanians cannot afford to buy meat to feed their children”. 

As of last week, the prices of sheep meat witnessed a drop. 

The Jordan Times tracked the prices, finding that a kilogramme of local sheep meat almost two weeks ago was sold for JD11 on average. Now, many supermarkets have placed a huge discount and many different promotions on sheep meat, leaving the price this week for sheep meet standing at JD7 per kilogramme. 

“The increase in prices of livestock has led Jordanians to replace fresh red meat and chicken with cheaper alternatives, such as frozen meat, beans high in protein or just ignore their nutrition,” Amal Sa’di, a nutritionist, told The Jordan Times. 

Ahmad Saudi, a livestock retailer, told The Jordan Times that livestock requires adequate conditions and a lot of hard work, therefore, the price of sheep meat is high.

Saudi noted that local sheep feed on grass, which gives the meat a better taste when cooked. 

“Because sheep live in a herd, we have to make sure sheep are vaccinated. Sheep get sick and have to take medicine, and these expenses are paid in the final price of the meat,” he said, adding that livestock farmers are suffering due to the drop in demand the market is witnessing. 

Consumers said that such price drop is a “blessing” regardless of the reasons, as they are now able to buy adequate amounts of fresh red meat for a reasonable price.

Meanwhile, Firas Awad, an owner of a butcher shop, said the prices have dropped recently because of the “ruthless competition” among big suppliers to the extent that some retailers are selling at less than the production costs.