MANAMA: Bahrain has enough food and vegetables and store offers galore to meet the increase in demand during Eid Al Adha.
Traders have stockpiles of rice, oil, legumes and other products, said Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) food wealth committee chairman Khalid Al Amin.
He further said the local markets were ready to meet the demand during the festival and ruled out any possibility of a shortage of food items.
The Eid Al Adha extended holidays start from Monday and are expected to attract increased footfall at supermarkets and stores.
“There are so many Eid offers right now for the consumers offering the best food products,” said Mr Al Amin.
“Traders have enough stock that they bought during Ramadan and are clearing it out right now, so there is no question of a shortage of any items.”
On an average about 55,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables are imported during Eid festivals, but Mr Al Amin said due to availability of stocks, imports were not expected to be high except for fresh fruits and other perishable products.
He said Bahrain imports fresh produce from Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Australia and India among other countries.
“Prices will remain stable and the public should not worry about anything,” said Mr Al Amin. “Local markets are ready to meet the demand.”
The cost of Adahi or sacrificial animals starts from BD60 and can reach up to BD140.
Muslim families continue a tradition of paying for livestock to be slaughtered on the occasion to provide food for themselves, their neighbours and the less fortunate.
“There will be an increase in demand for goats, but like I said livestock supplies are abundant,” added Mr Al Amin.
Based on previous trends, the expected demand rate of sacrifices during the three days is anticipated to be between 5,000 and 10,000 heads of cattle or more. Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijja, the month named after the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Muslims believe Prophet Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Ismail and as he was about to carry out the command, God accepted his spirit of obedience and a goat was sacrificed instead. To honour this, Muslims sacrifice a goat, sheep, cow or camel for Eid Al Adha, which lasts until the 13th day of Dhu Al Hijja.
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