Butchers in Dukan decry cheap frozen meat imports

DUKAN, January 4 — In Sulaymaniyah’s Dukan district, markets are grappling with the consequences of imported frozen meat, leading to a decline in local sellers’ market share.

Bakhtiar Hamid, a local meat vendor, told 964, “The introduction of imported frozen meat has significantly dampened our market, and yet it hasn’t influenced the pricing of domestic meat.” He highlighted the shift from daily slaughtering to a more sporadic schedule, indicating a noticeable impact on local sellers.

Ahmad Zahir, another butcher, explained, “We are constrained in lowering meat prices due to the elevated cost of live animals. People tend to buy the imported meat because it’s cheaper.”

Samal Hussein, a frozen meat vendor, asserted to 964, “This legally imported meat undergoes thorough inspection by veterinarians and committees, ensuring its healthiness and adherence to halal standards. Moreover, it comes at a more economical price at 10,000 dinars per kilogram, compared to butcher-sold meat.”

In Dukan’s markets, the cost of domestic meat ranges from 15,000 to 22,000 dinars.