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Satyendra Pathak
Doha
Qatar’s largest automated slaughterhouse became operational at the Al Wakra Central Market on Tuesday.
Managed and operated by Widam Food, the new automated slaughterhouse spans 14,000 square metres.
One of the largest slaughterhouses in the Middle East, the production capacity of the automated slaughterhouse in Al Wakra can reach up to 9,000 heads per day for livestock.
Using modern techniques to maintain product quality and the operations efficiency, the slaughterhouse also has one additional line available for cows and camels.
“It takes just 20 minutes to process livestock through different stages of slaughtering making it ready for delivery to the customer. The automated slaughterhouse has electronic boards to keep customers updated about the different stages of slaughtering,” Widam Operations Manager Mohamed al Hajri told Qatar Tribune during the media tour of the slaughterhouse.
“Islamic method of slaughtering is followed right from the beginning of slaughtering and on the spot veterinary inspection is done to check the quality of meat,” Hajri said.
“Today, we have made just one line operational. All the lines will be made operational soon. Currently, the price for slaughtering, shredding and packaging one sheep is QR16, which is subject to change once the slaughterhouse is fully operational,” he said.
“We have received a very good response in the beginning. We expect higher business volumes. The huge capacity at this slaughterhouse will play a vital role in making Qatar self-reliant in meat products,” Hajri said.
Al Wakra Central Market, which houses the new automated slaughterhouse, was also made operational on Tuesday.
Aswaq for food facilities management, a subsidiary of Hassad that manages and operates the three central markets in Qatar, announced the commencement of the Al Wakra Central Market’s operations. The development of three new central markets, including the Al Wakra Central Market, is funded by Hassad in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment with the aim to achieve self-sufficiency and support the national product.
Al Wakra Central Market has been built following the latest international systems, to serve the needs of all the categories — producer, trader and the consumer.
Providing details about the newly-operational central market, Aswaq General Manager Mohamed Ghaneem al Kubaisi said, “The market spans on an area of approximately 230,000 square metres and is located in the midpoint of central road networks. It is 30 minutes away from the heart of Doha and 10 minutes away from the border of the central outlet for importing livestock and fodder at Hamad Port.”
Also known as the livestock market, it is divided into several sections to serve the livestock trade like barns, automated slaughterhouse, shops, hypermarkets, service shops and administrative offices.
The barns section consists of more than 600 livestock barns divided between display and storage. All retail, wholesale and hypermarket sections are air-conditioned.
The market includes 102 shops to support the main activity such as fodder, grain, veterinary, and other supplies. The market also includes fodder storage space spread over 5,200 square metres.
Additionally, the retails section includes 76 shops that sell vegetables and fruits, dried fruits, honey, and dates as well as the traditional market. Six service shops are allocated for cafeteria, supermarket and restaurants.
“All the retail shops have been allotted and the new owners will soon begin trading. The name of the operator of the supermarket will be announced soon,” Kubaisi said.
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15/01/2020
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