Cairo, May 23 (IANS): Egypt will import 170,000 cattle and sheep for the upcoming Islamic festival Eid al-Adha amid soaring meat prices, the Agriculture Ministry announced.
The imports include 150,000 calves and 20,000 sheep, the Ministry said.
The measure aims to provide sufficient meat at reasonable prices for Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays for Muslims, Agriculture Minister Al-Said Al-Qusair said in a statement.
Al-Qusair added that the government is working to release fodder for cattle and poultry in ports to lower their prices in the market.
As Eid al-Adha is six weeks away, Egypt is witnessing record-high meat prices, with the price for beef reaching 400 Egyptian pounds per kilogram ($13 ) in some stores.
This year's Eid al-Adha is expected to be celebrated on June 28.