Casablanca, Morocco (AP) – A herd of sheep that used to roam the mountainous meadows of Morocco has expanded to Algeria’s vast plateaus and is now grazing along Tunisia’s lush coastline. However, the ripple effects of climate change have led to a widespread shortage throughout the region, affecting celebrations as Muslims in North Africa prepare for Eid al-Ada.
Each year, Muslims sacrifice sheep to honor the passage of the Qur’an, commemorating the moment when the Prophet Ibrahim was prepared to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
This year, however, rising prices coupled with dwindling supply have posed new challenges, according to breeders and potential buyers throughout the area.
At a market in suburban Algiers last week, breeders explained to frustrated customers that costs had surged due to increases in expenses like animal feed, transportation, and veterinary services.
Slimane Aouadi surveyed a livestock pen and discussed with his wife whether to purchase sheep to celebrate this year’s Eid.
“The same sheep I bought last year, identical in appearance and weight, costs an additional $75 now,” Dr. Aouadi told the Associated Press.
With rising inflation, sheep prices can exceed $1,200—an enormous cost in countries where the average monthly income is less than $270.
Tradition Meets Reality
The complexities surrounding ritual sacrifices have stirred anger over the impact on religious traditions, alongside rising prices and the challenges they bring.
As a response, Morocco and Algeria have adopted unprecedented measures.
Earlier this year, Algerian authorities announced plans to import a staggering million sheep to compensate for the domestic shortage. King Mohammed VI of Morocco broke from tradition and urged Muslims to consider forgoing the Eid sacrifice. Local officials in the Kingdom have shut down livestock markets, restricting customers from purchasing sheep for this year’s festivities.
“Our country is facing significant climate and economic challenges, with a remarkable decline in livestock numbers. Making sacrifices under these circumstances would harm our population, particularly those with limited incomes.”
Trucks have delivered thousands of sheep to new markets in Algiers and its surroundings. Lotfi Gharnaout, an agricultural economist at the University of Toulouse, noted in the state-run newspaper El Moudjahid that Algeria’s import strategy is estimated to cost between $23-230 million and has yet to fulfill national demand.
Pasture
Overgrazing has long stressed parts of North Africa, where population growth outpaces the job market, limiting opportunities outside pastoralism and agriculture. However, the herds have diminished further due to seven years of drought, compounded by reduced rainfall and soaring feed prices. Experts state that drought conditions have forced shepherds to overgraze their herds and led farmers to degrade the land that produces grains for animal feed.
Historically, low supply has skyrocketed prices beyond the reach of middle-class families who traditionally purchase sheep for slaughter.
Moroccan economist Najib Akekebi asserted that the decline in herds is directly linked to the loss of vegetation in grazing areas. The extended drought has exacerbated inflation, already worsened by the war in Ukraine.
“Most livestock agriculture in North Africa is pastoral, inherently reliant on natural resources such as wild plants and rain-fed vegetation,” explains Akesbi, a former professor at the Hassan II Veterinary Institute.
For breeders, livestock serve as a form of savings; selling them covers costs and settles debts. However, drought and rising feed costs have severely depleted their reserves.
Pressed Hermit
With natural vegetation scarce, breeders find themselves spending more on supplementary feed, according to Achaf Majdoubi, president of the Moroccan Sheep Association and Goat Breeders Association. In optimal years, pasture can meet most of a flock’s needs, but during droughts, it may only provide half or a third.
“You have to supplement with purchased feed like straw and barley,” he explained.
It’s not just the quantity of feed needed; prices for barley, straw, and alfalfa (many of which require imports) are also rising sharply.
In Morocco, prices for barley and straw have tripled since the onset of the drought, while alfalfa prices have more than doubled.
“The future of this profession looks bleak. Breeders may leave rural areas for cities, and some might never return,” Achaf Majdoubi lamented.
__Report contributed by an Associated Press Writer from Algeria.
Source: apnews.com