Eid Al-Adha Sheep Prices Surge in Morocco as Middlemen Dominate Market

The average sheep is sold between 2,500 and 3,000 DH, while the price of quality sheep varies between 3,500 and 7,000 DH, reporters from the Arabic-language newspaper Al Massae found after touring several sales points in Casablanca and its suburbs. Middlemen and other "chennaqas" are behind this price surge.

They regularly intervene in the sheep sales circuit by monopolizing the majority of resale stores. These intruders encourage forage sellers to raise the price of their merchandise. The price of the bale thus goes from 40 to 90 DH. In Casablanca, the resale of sheep bought from breeders in Sidi Rahal and Had Soualem is lucrative for the middlemen in Casablanca. They make profits ranging from 500 to 1,500 DH per head of livestock.

Their target clientele? Moroccans residing abroad (MREs). Unlike other years, many MREs are returning to Morocco to celebrate Eid Al-Adha with their families, to spend the summer vacation. Faced with the soaring price of sheep, Casablanca residents are calling on the competent authorities to intervene.