Morocco: ten years without rain make the dromedaries disappear

The largest camel market in Morocco, the Souk Amhayrich, whose area is 10,000 m³, is located in the city of Guelmim, considered the gateway to the Sahara in Morocco. "This market is known in Africa for the sale of dromedaries," says Mohammed, a 33-year-old camel breeder, met on the ground by RFI. "People come from all over Morocco. Here, you find the dromedaries all year round and all week long." But this market is now facing huge difficulties due to the drought that has been affecting the region for ten years already.

This drought has resulted in the destruction of pastures, leading to a decrease in the herd. This is a source of concern for Mouloud, a 39-year-old merchant at the Souk Amhayrich. "There has been a large increase in the prices of dromedaries, especially the stallion," he observes. "The drought has caused costs to skyrocket, as we have to continue to feed the animals." The situation is very critical. According to Mouloud, the shepherd’s salary is also a significant burden. "We pay him between 300 and 400 euros per month," he specifies. "We can no longer even find candidates. We now call on Mauritanians. These shepherds can stay for a year, two years, when Moroccans do not exceed one month, two months, before leaving."

Another difficulty: "The constructions, the farms have fragmented the large spaces," observes Mouloud. Actors in the dromedary sector denounce their exclusion from the current livestock support schemes. An exclusion that compromises the future of the sector.