Ramadan 2022: Rising Food Costs Force Muslims to Scale Back Traditional Feasts

"Used to big meals, we’re going to have to deprive ourselves because of the prices," say, to France Bleu, Landais exasperated by the soaring prices. Chicken will take the place of lamb, those who are used to gorging on pastries will have to be content with a minimum service. For Assana and Nadia, this Ramadan is special. They have no choice, they have to give up on certain foods that are too expensive for their pockets. "We’re used to big meals but this year, we’re going to have to deprive ourselves. Meat, oil, flour... everything is more expensive," regrets Assana.

This kind of decision does not suit grocers and other merchants. But they acknowledge that everything is expensive. This is the case of the boss of the Marrakech butcher’s shop, Saïd Reddahi. "The increase in the price of oil is incredible! It’s 2.50 euros when it normally costs 1.50 euros, 1.60 euros. Flour costs almost 8 euros instead of the usual 5.50 euros," regrets Saïd Reddahi. "No one buys it because it’s too expensive."

At the Marrakech butcher’s shop in Mont-de-Marsan, customers are trying to adapt the evening Ramadan menus to the rising prices. Mohammed came to do his Ramadan shopping and intends to arrange things so as to have a nice table for the breaking of the fast. "A table as full of tajine, pastries, pancakes... as usual. But it will be more complicated," he estimates, before explaining that "Ramadan is the month when we spend the most on food in the year."

Ramadan is also a time of sharing. In the evening, some do not hesitate to share dishes with those in need. But this year, instead of doing it every evening, it will be one evening out of two, or three. "That’s life, we have no choice." She regrets seeing that "even the fruits, to get the vitamins we lack during the day, are expensive."

"We are losing the ethics of Ramadan," explains Assana, who regrets that because of the high cost, some, including her, are forced to do without one of the principles of this sacred month: sharing.