Muslims in Morocco are preparing for the usual animal sacrifice as Eid Al-Adha approaches, much as their counterparts all around. But a horrible drought this year has eclipsed the festivities, drastically lowering the availability of pasture for cattle, therefore causing until unheard-of problems for consumers and farmers.
While it often supports farmers with fodder subsidies, the Moroccan government has prior years given each individual farmer two bags of manure. The drought caused thirty bags in Wahid Redouane’s farm this year, yet still not sufficient. Drought forces us to sometimes sell sheep to pay for fodder for the surviving ones.Redouane stressed, “This has driven prices in the market.” Selling sheep to preserve the herd clearly influences market pricing; animals now run between 73 and 83 dirhams (6.83 and 9.03 USD). Over the past year, sheep prices have averaged up to 160 dollars.To cope with the exorbitant expenses, Moroccan sheep vendors have traveled to Spain in search of more cheaply priced options.
Berrechid sheep trader Lehcen Ziate noticed that “Moroccans could not control the outrageous pricing of Moroccan sheep during their excursions to the markets. Their first pick became Spanish lambs as their 67 dirhams (7.29 euros) per kilogram was reasonably cheap. This year Morocco bought 600,000 Spanish sheep to meet demand.
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Many customers find the high prices challenging even with these measures. Local Abdelghani Chihab gave his observations: “This year the attitude is different. Prices have gone up in Berrechid throughout my market tour, although they differ based on the quality of the sheep as well as from one market to another.”
Professionals worry that the state of affairs might get worse in next years. “Drought after drought will persist in the next few years, endangering Morocco’s cattle supply and causing disaster for it,” says environmental specialist Mustapha Benramel, chairman of the Minaretes Ecological Association for Development and Climate, stressing the need of fundamental adjustments. This requires a modification to contemporary cow raising,” he said.
Rising prices and the drought serve as sobering reminders of the more general climate difficulties Morocco faces when Eid Al-Adha begins her journey there on June 17. Quick and sustainable action will enable farmers to adapt and ensure that these challenges do not affect forthcoming celebrations.
