Eid Al-Adha: Sheep Prices Surge 30% as Moroccan Expats Return Home

The price of sheep should experience an exceptional increase of 20 to 30% this year compared to previous holidays, according to breeders, who nevertheless reassure that the supply should not be lacking. According to the National Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders (ANOC), this situation is particularly attributable to the drought and the soaring cost of feed, reports Le Matin.

Another factor that should fuel the rise in the price of sheep is the expected arrival of Moroccans living abroad after almost two years of absence due to the crisis, estimates Abderrahmane Mejdoubi, president of ANOC, who reassures that the supply should largely cover the demand. About 7.2 million head of sheep and goats have been identified for Eid Al-Adha, according to official figures.

For his part, Farid Maâroufi, a breeder-fattener from the Chaouia region, explained that for lack of sufficient support, several breeders have reduced their herds. "Some, over-indebted, even had to close down." In the current context, the breeder just hopes to recover his production costs. "The current situation will benefit much more to the intermediaries who will take advantage of it to inflate the prices on the market," he regretted.