The Qatari authorities had, in fact, put a blanket ban on the import of poultry and eggs from India following bird flu-related fears but lifted the restrictions recently after the situation improved there.

The move helped ease a severe short supply of eggs Qatar was facing in view of the restrictions imposed on the import of poultry and eggs from Saudi Arabia, which has been a large supplier to the Qatari market.

Ever since the import of Indian eggs resumed, they were selling cheaper in the retail market at about QR6 a dozen. The wholesale rate was QR95 for 12 crates, each containing 30 eggs.

Qatari eggs, the demand for which always remains high, are still in short supply, retailers said yesterday. “We don’t get local eggs for sale any more,” a salesman from a supermarket told this newspaper.

Source: ThePeninsula