Facing ongoing drought and soaring costs, Algeria plans to import 1 million sheep ahead of Eid al-Adha to make the annual sacrifice more affordable for citizens.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has instructed his ministers to move forward with the large-scale imports, aiming to curb price hikes that have put the religious tradition out of reach for many. The initiative follows earlier government efforts to regulate food prices, particularly during Ramadan.
With northern Africa enduring its seventh consecutive year of extreme heat and below-average rainfall, Algeria&rsquo;s agriculture has been hit hard, leading to diminished harvests and escalating feed costs. With livestock production struggling, particularly in the highlands where sheep are traditionally raised, market prices have surged. During last year&rsquo;s Eid, the cost of a single sheep reached up to 200,000 Algerian dinars ($1,496), nearly 10 times the country&rsquo;s minimum wage.
Eid al-Adha, observed in early June this year, is one of the most significant Islamic holidays, commemorating the Quranic account of Prophet Ibrahim&rsquo;s devotion to God. The tradition involves the slaughter of sheep or cattle, but rising costs have forced many Algerians to forgo the ritual in recent years.
To counteract inflation and livestock shortages, the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade will oversee the sourcing of sheep from international suppliers. This builds on last year&rsquo;s smaller-scale imports, which saw the government facilitate the sale of 100,000 sheep from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and Spain.
While Algeria is boosting imports to ensure availability, neighboring Morocco has taken a different stance. On February 27, King Mohammed VI, the highest religious authority under Moroccan law, announced that Moroccans facing financial hardship could forgo the sacrifice, emphasizing that the ritual should not become a burden. His statement, widely discussed in Algerian media, highlights the economic challenges facing families across the region.
Tebboune&rsquo;s latest move aligns with broader government efforts to manage public discontent through economic intervention. The administration continues to implement price controls and subsidies to ease social pressure while maintaining a firm grip on political dissent. By ensuring sheep remain accessible, the government aims to prevent potential unrest while reinforcing its role in economic stability.

Sheep from the northern Algerian highlands are known for their quality

Government moves to curb soaring livestock costs amid drought, ensuring affordability

Algeria to Import 1M Sheep to Stabilize Eid Prices

Government moves to curb soaring livestock costs amid drought, ensuring affordability

March 12, 2025 | 12:08 IST