A pet shop at Souq Waqif.
Prices of pet birds have seen a sharp rise in Qatar following the recent import ban. The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has banned import of all kinds of live birds due to bird flu outbreaks in some countries.
The ban enforced some two months ago has hit business of many pet animal dealers, who usually see a hike in sales during the winter months,according to an expert.
“Our business has been hit by more than 40 to 50 percent, with the ban imposed during the peak season. It is usually during these five cooler months that we have most sales in birds and poultry,” said Mohamad El Mokdad , an importer and manager of Al Areen for Birds.
However, the ban has helped many local breeders, with birds being sold at double and triple the normal rates. Pet sellers are cashing in on the surge in the number of families visiting the shops due to favourable weather. Expatriate families are more keen on having small birds, while larger and expensive ones are more popular among the citizens.
“The market prices of most birds have gone up drastically. Breeding in Qatar is expensive due to the high costs, and now with the ban on imports, the sellers here have increased the prices. Also those who imported prior to the ban are selling at higher rates as there are enough takers,” he said.
Love birds which were earlier sold at prices between QR50 and QR150 per pair are now sold at rates going up to QR300 based on the type. Canary birds which cost QR100 earlier are being sold for QR250 and QR350 in the market, according to sources.
The ministry had banned import of live birds due to avian flu break outs reported in different parts of the world. The precautionary move is aimed at preventing spread of bird flu in the country.
“Import of water birds like ducks and goose have been banned in the country since long. We were importing birds like canaries, small indoor birds, special breed chickens, pheasants and also peacocks mostly from Belgium, based on demand. Now with the ban we have stopped all imports,” El Mokdad said. Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease that cause a wide spectrum of symptoms in birds, ranging from mild illness to a rapidly fatal disease that can cause severe epidemics.
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