Sales of meat for Eid al-Adha feast reached LE135 million at ministry outlets on Sunday, as the public bought a collective 2,200 tonnes of meat (from 11,000 animals) in preparation for the Muslim festival this week, announced Supply Minister Mohamed al-Sheikh. The ministry sets aside LE500 million in food commodities to be disbursed to citizens each month, according to the minister, who said that this month's high rate of sales indicates the commodities are available. The ministry has been working with banks and food holding companies to provide low-income households with meat at reduced prices for the festival marked by animal sacrifice. Sheikh said the ministry is collaborating with the Petroleum Ministry to up the supply of butane gas and gasoline to stations this week in anticipation of increased demand for petroleum substances during the extended national holiday. Parts of the country were hit by a shortage of butane gas cylinders last week, with prices doubling in some cities.

Source: Egypt Independent September 11, 2016 14:48 UTC