Qatar: airlift of 165 cows

Qatar has accepted the shipment of 165 cows that was airlifted to ease a milk shortage caused by sanctions imposed by its neighbours. This are the first shipment for local dairy company, Baladna. Qatar is increasing its production after four of the Arab states had cut off diplomatic ties. Saudi Arabia closed Qatar's only land border, cutting off vital imports including those of dairy products.

Qatar diplomatic crisis

5 June: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates cut diplomatic, economic and transport ties with Qatar on 5 June. Accusing Doha of supporting the extremist groups.

6 June: Saudi Arabia and the UAE ordered Qatar to break all links with the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and Iran.

7 June: The UAE says any person expressing sympathy for Qatar could face up to 15 years in prison. Trump and Kuwait offer to mediate the crisis.

8 June: Qatar's foreign minister gives a series of defiant interviews, pledging never to 'surrender the independence of our foreign policy'. Qatar-based Al-Jazeera was under a sustained cyber-attack.

9 June: Saudi-led coalition imposes sanctions on groups and people accused of having Islamist militancy ties. The Turkish president signs legislation that would offer Qatar military assistance if necessary.

Analysis

Baladna, one of the largest sheep live stock company in the GCC & the Middle East. The company said that it was trying to compensate for a shortage of dairy products by importing more than 4000 cows to make about 35% of Qatar’s dairy demand.

Qatar used to receive more than 90% of fresh milk from Saudi Arabia.

The first set of cows, purchased from a German supplier, arrived on Tuesday on a Qatar Airways flight from Budapest, Hungary. Other cows are expected to be sourced from Netherlands, U.S. and Australia.

Qatar relies heavily on imported food. Most of which used to come from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The gas-rich state has had to move quickly to find alternatives.

Within days of the embargo, Turkish and Iranian products filled empty shelves in the supermarkets and local factories ramped up production.

Assessment

Our assessment is that, it is one of the biggest airlift of cattle ever attempted. The supply and availability of all products like fresh poultry, fresh milk and few other things which was affected by the current Gulf crisis seems normal now. The government has made arrangements with countries like Turkey & Iran to ensure uninterrupted supply of foods.