- Algeria to import 1 million sheep ahead of Eid Al-Adha to stabilize prices
- Last year's prices surged to $1,500 per sheep, ten times the minimum wage
- Severe drought in North Africa has crippled domestic livestock production
- Morocco's recent religious exemption highlights regional disparities in Eid preparations
- Government aims to prevent social unrest by ensuring affordable sacrificial options
Algeria faces mounting pressure as Eid Al-Adha approaches, a cornerstone of Islamic tradition where families sacrifice livestock to honor Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion. Soaring sheep prices, exacerbated by a seven-year drought and rising inflation, threaten to make the ritual inaccessible for millions. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s directive to import a million sheep underscores the government’s urgency to stabilize markets and uphold cultural practices.
The North African nation’s agricultural sector has struggled under relentless heatwaves and erratic rainfall, slashing domestic sheep herds and spiking feed costs. With local breeders unable to meet demand, Algeria turns to international markets—a strategy previously used during Ramadan to ensure affordable staples. This year’s unprecedented import volume reflects the severity of the crisis, as families grapple with inflation pushing basic goods beyond reach.
Neighboring Morocco’s approach offers a striking contrast. King Mohammed VI recently granted religious exemptions, allowing low-income citizens to skip the sacrifice—a move that sparked debates across Algeria. While Morocco prioritizes financial relief, Algeria’s massive import initiative aims to preserve tradition through state intervention. Analysts note this divergence highlights broader socioeconomic strategies in the region.
Logistical challenges loom large. Securing one million sheep requires rapid negotiations with suppliers like Australia and Brazil, nations already navigating global supply chain strains. Veterinary checks, transportation costs, and quarantine protocols could delay deliveries, risking shortages before Eid. Critics argue the plan neglects long-term solutions, such as drought-resistant farming or subsidies for local breeders.
Economists warn that repeated reliance on imports weakens Algeria’s food security. Climate models predict worsening arid conditions, threatening future domestic production. Meanwhile, the government balances economic pressures with political stability, using subsidized sheep sales to counterbalance its crackdown on dissent. As Eid approaches, the success of this million-sheep gamble will determine both cultural continuity and public trust.
