Citizens and expatriates alike in the Kingdom are feeling the pinch of ban on beef imports from Brazil since last December, with prices shooting up by as much as 40 percent since the ban. Brazil was the largest supplier of beef to the Kingdom up until the ban was imposed.
The high price of beef is a cause of concern for everyone during Ramadan, when demand rises. Following the ban on Brazilian beef, India has emerged as the largest supplier of meat followed by Australia, but the combined supplies from these two countries still falls short of demand, leading to prices shooting up.
With traders also seeking to hoard beef stock to meet demand during Ramadan, prices have spiraled on a regular basis particularly in the case of Indian beef, which is similar to the Brazilian kind with less fat, while the Australian beef has more fat content.
In bulk trading, an 18-kg carton of beef, which was selling at SR 270 prior to the Brazil ban, is now being sold at SR 370. It was priced at SR 340 until a few days ago.
Beef is widely used during Ramadan by Saudi families in the form of mince for a variety of dishes including “samosa” and “kebabs.”
The price of mince or ground beef has doubled now in the wholesale market with an 8-kg carton holding 20 400-gram packs each selling at SR 35 against SR 20 earlier.
Beef is also used in “kabsa” and “ruz bukhari.” For many expats, beef is the main course dish in dinners, as also in food served by employers in larger contracting companies. This is an addition to regular usage of beef in meals and burgers.
During the holy month, many Saudi individuals provide “kabsa” with beef to expatriate laborers through mosques, which will now cost them much more.
Many retailers, catering companies and restaurants in the Kingdom are having a tough time procuring beef. They are also worried about the high cost eating into their profits.
A Sudanese manager of a popular chain of restaurants told Arab News that the high beef price was a matter of concern. “I am willing to pay a high price for beef but the problem is that there are not enough quantities in the market when you need it most,” he said.
An Indian executive, who runs a catering company supplying food to over 2,000 employees in Rabigh, told Arab News on condition of anonymity that the high price of beef was indeed worrisome for catering companies involved in supplying food to contracting companies.
Alam Zaib Khan, an executive with a company dealing in in frozen products, said: “The market is volatile now with demand far outstripping supplies. With only two countries supplying beef, it is indeed a problem faced by many. Such is the demand for beef that I sold two containers of beef within 12 hours of its arrival in Jeddah.”
Interestingly, the increase in beef price has resulted in shawarma shops cutting down on the quantity of beef stuffing. That is indeed food for thought.
Brazil beef ban sends prices of samosa, kebab soaring
Brazil beef ban sends prices of samosa, kebab soaring
14 sculptures go on display at public spaces in Riyadh
- The works were chosen by Riyadh Art from its international Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium to reflect its ‘vision of weaving beauty and intellect into the city’s fabric’
- Initiative aligns with efforts to make art a key part of city’s identity that improves quality of life and promotes the cultural economy, says Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s Khalid Al-Hazani
RIYADH: Fourteen sculptures selected from the annual international Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium, a Riyadh Art program, went on display on Wednesday at three prominent public spaces across the Saudi capital: ROSHN Front, the SEDRA residential community, and Sports Boulevard.
The project is part of Riyad Art’s efforts to showcase artworks in public spaces, and the addition of more works in other places is expected later.
Khalid Al-Hazani, the executive vice president of the lifestyle sector at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, said: “This step reflects (Riyadh Art’s) vision of weaving beauty and intellect into the city’s fabric, and creating vibrant and culturally rich public spaces, allowing art to become an integral part of people’s daily lives.”
It is also in line with Riyadh Art’s broader strategy for transforming the city into an open-air art gallery, he added, thereby “turning art into a central element of the city’s identity and a key contributor to improving quality of life and promoting the cultural economy.”
The three chosen locations were considered perfect places to host the artworks because of their vibrancy, strong community connections and accessibility, Al-Hazani noted.
“This provides residents and visitors with the opportunity to engage with the sculptures in their everyday lives,” he said.
Seven of the sculptures have been installed at ROSHN Front, considered a key urban hub. The artworks on display there form a thought-provoking artistic landscape that encourages interaction, organizers said, and explores a number of themes including the values of urban transformation, community spirit, and creative curiosity.
Three sculptures are on display at the SEDRA residential community. Chosen to complement its serene character and nature-integrated urban planning, they blend in with their surroundings to reflect the values of environmental harmony, contemplation and renewal, organizers explained.
The remaining four sculptures are at Sports Boulevard, known for its open, green spaces. These works reflect several concepts, in particular ideas of nature, balance and public health.
All of the sculptures are part of Riyadh Art’s permanent collection, which includes works created by local and international artists during the Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium.
