The evacuation of villages and closure of many schools brought fears that market business in the region of Al-Khubah would be severely affected, but traders say that business has been as brisk as ever in the period leading up to Eid Al-Adha. Although the famous Al-Khubah Market was closed as a precautionary security measure Thursday, popular markets in the rest of Jizan, such as those at Sabya, Abu Areesh, Bish, Samtah and Ahad Al-Masareha, have all seen livestock prices exceed SR1,000 per head of goat or sheep. “The security efforts pursuing Huthi rebels have not affected markets in the region, other than the Al-Khubah market, and demand for sacrificial animals is still high,” said livestock trader Hussein Eisawi. The cow and camel business is also continuing unaffected. “The demand for cattle and camels is in keeping with what you would expect at this time of year,” said Mohsin Hazzazi a local dealer. “At the moment cows are going for 2,500 riyals and camels for 3,500. The demand is there as people will use the cattle for milk and then when the Eid comes for meat.” Ibrahim Abdullah says the price rises need to be controlled. “The demand due to Eid Al-Adha is outpricing some people,” Abdullah said. “The situation needs monitoring from the authorities and I personally think animals should be priced according to weight and not head.”
