In a first, some 636 sheep and 932 goats were flown to Sharjah in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Maharashtra on Friday.
An Ukrainian Cargo Airways flight took off with the cattle from Ozar airport near Nashik Friday evening around 5 and landed at UAE around 8.30 pm. “All the goats and sheep were made available for sale in the market by 11 pm itself,” said Hemant Sanap, director of Sanap Agro Animals Pvt Ltd, who had initiated the cargo flight.
Mandar Bharde, an aviation expert, said earlier only the sea route was used to transport cattle. It was also the first ever cargo flight from Ozar airport, he said.
Mohammad Rafiq, a meat seller, said Indian goats and sheep were in high demand in the UAE.
When it rains the sea route remains closed and thus these animals are imported from Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Russia. However, owing to climate disparity they do not survive in UAE’s hot weather, while Indian animals do better.
Mr Sanap said, “I realised that despite the demand, Indian goats and sheep would not be able to reach UAE as they are generally taken via sea in open containers from Gujarat’s Kandala port. So, I approached the aviation officials to check if a cargo flight with goats and sheep could be flown to UAE. “I was informed there was no such restriction or prohibition.”
He further said he had got a good response from the UAE market, as traders were happy to receive fresh animals. Each goat or sheep sells for 600 to 800 dirhams or Rs 11,500 to Rs 15,000 in the UAE market. “It takes four to five days to transport the cattle via sea. They become weak owing to the change in climate and seasickness. Sometimes, they die within a day of reaching the UAE. By air, they remain healthy and fit,” he said.
He said another such cargo flight would take off on Thursday.
