In a context of a sharp global rise in commodity prices due to the war in Ukraine and the food crisis, sheep prices are soaring, a few days before Eid-el-Kébir, the feast of the sacrifice, on 9 or 10 July. The precise date of this Muslim holiday is not yet known because it depends on the lunar calendar. How much will families have to spend in France or in certain Maghreb countries?
In France, where 100,000 sheep are slaughtered each year, Muslims are preparing to buy a sheep which will have to be sacrificed in an approved slaughterhouse in accordance with the rules of ritual slaughter specific to Islam. And they will have to pay more than usual for it. In some sheepfolds, animals are sold between 350 and 450 euros depending on the breed, weight, beauty of the animal. At this price, some even plan to share the mutton, which is also a tradition.
In Algeria, purchasing power cut by 50%
Elsewhere, in Algeria, mutton prices are exploding, creating strong tensions. It takes at least 50,000 dinars to get a medium-sized sheep, or nearly 330 euros. Some breeders even sell this sheep for 110,000 dinars, or 720 euros, knowing that the cost of animal feed has almost doubled compared to last year. These sums are enormous compared to the low incomes of households who are already struggling to make ends meet. Their purchasing power has fallen by 50% despite an increase in wages, according to the Algerian Association for Consumer Protection.
In Tunisia or Morocco, hit by drought, mutton prices should exceed those of last year, probably more than 300 euros.
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