Between Consumer and Farmer: A Hidden Struggle in the Livestock Market Ahead of Eid al-Adha

As the Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi'dah begins, a palpable sense of urgency surrounds the purchase of sheep for the upcoming Eid al-Adha in Morocco. Many Moroccans are opting to buy their sacrificial animals early, a strategy aimed at circumventing the anticipated price surges and congestion that typically characterize the final days leading up to the festival. This year's Eid holds particular significance, as it follows a year where traditional sacrifices were forgone due to national circumstances and a depleted national flock resulting from prolonged drought.

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Demand is still weak for buying sacrificial animals so far, and families prefer to postpone their purchases until the last weeks.

However, the narrative of rising prices is deeply rooted in the challenging realities faced by Moroccan farmers, or 'kassaba.' Over the past year, they have grappled with significant additional expenses. The escalating cost of animal feed, coupled with the severe impacts of drought—and subsequently, heavy rainfall and floods in regions like Gharb and the North—have compounded their losses and increased their operational costs. Consequently, many farmers view the current price increases not as opportunistic, but as a natural and unavoidable consequence of these adverse conditions.

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The current prices are reasonable, ranging between 3,000 and 6,000 dirhams in the Souk Sebt market.

This complex reality, however, often gets overshadowed in public discourse, particularly on digital platforms. Online discussions reveal a stark division: some argue that the price increases are unjustified and orchestrated by 'farqashiyya' (speculators or middlemen), while others advocate for direct engagement with the 'kassaba' to encourage them to fulfill their essential role and bypass the intermediaries known as 'shannag.' Social media is awash with videos documenting market conditions and fluctuating prices across different regions, adding to the confusion and anxiety among families and the general public.

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The current prices do not serve the farmer in any way, and in all cases, he will be at a loss due to the high costs he incurred to prepare the flock for Eid al-Adha.

Traders like Bouslham Boumehidi acknowledge the slow initial demand but anticipate a surge as Eid approaches. He defends the current prices as reasonable, ranging from 3000 to 6000 dirhams, but insists they do not benefit the farmers, who he claims will ultimately incur losses due to high expenses. Boumehidi dismisses the 'shannag' label, stating it's their livelihood and they are not concerned by the criticism. Conversely, 'kassaba' like Nour Eddine Zaani prefer selling directly from their farms to avoid market volatility and the influence of middlemen. Zaani notes the ongoing debate about sheep prices online but confirms selling two sheep from his flock of 25 at 5000 dirhams each, emphasizing the hardships farmers endured. The call for consumers to visit rural areas and purchase directly from farmers highlights a desire for transparency and a more equitable distribution of profits within the supply chain.

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This is our profession, and we cannot abandon it. May God compensate the farmer.