فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Weekly livestock markets witnessed a sharp decline in prices last Thursday, following King Mohammed VI’s call to suspend the ritual sacrifice during Eid al-Adha this year. This royal appeal came in response to an unprecedented drop in the national livestock population, which has decreased by 38% compared to 2016, due to the repercussions of consecutive years of drought and the effects of the “Green Morocco Plan,” which prioritized export sectors.
This decision led to a 40% to 50% drop in livestock prices. For example, the prices of some animals that were previously sold for 5,000 dirhams fell to between 2,500 and 3,000 dirhams, while the prices of sheep that were bought for 3,500 dirhams for Eid al-Adha dropped to less than 2,000 dirhams, reaching as low as 1,750 dirhams in some cases.
This decline was observed in various regions of Morocco, including the Casablanca region, particularly in Sidi Hajjaj and Beni Meskine, as well as other areas such as Safi and Khmis Ouled Haj in Oulad Teima.
The decline in livestock numbers over the past nine years is attributed to recurring droughts, coupled with current rainfall levels being 53% lower than the average of the past thirty years. This has led to a scarcity of pastures and a rise in meat prices, making the royal decision all the more urgent to ensure the stability of the domestic market.
To address these challenges, Morocco has intensified its efforts to import livestock and red meat, signing an agreement to import up to 100,000 sheep from Australia. These measures have also contributed to a notable decline in red meat prices, with wholesale prices ranging between 70 and 85 dirhams per kilogram, according to professional sources, due to increased imports ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.
