Moroccan households let out sigh of relief after Royal Eid Al Adha decision

The decision to forgo the rite of slaughtering on Eid Al Adha this year was welcomed by Moroccan households, mostly the poor and the middle class, who have been relieved of a financial burden that could jeopardize their finances amid rising prices.

Moroccan media have spoken to random people in different streets expressing relief at the Royal decision to spare them the expenses of buying sheep.

Last year, average sheep prices ranged between 3000 to 6000 dirhams amid a drop in the country’s herd due to seven years of consecutive drought.

The King, in his role as Commander of the Faithful, said he will slaughter a sheep on behalf of his people in keeping with Muslim traditions and the duty of considering the economic and climatic challenges facing the country.

Following the decision, red meat prices dropped significantly. In some markets prices of live sheep plummeted to as low as 50%.

Morocco has been importing sheep from Europe and Australia to make up for the drop in its herd.

The country’s herd of sheep and cattle dropped 38% compared with the last census in 2016.

Morocco had taken a similar decision amid droughts in 1981 and in 1996 and earlier in 1963 because of the economic impact of the Sand War against Algeria. Refraining from performing the rite of slaughtering enabled the replenishment of the herd.