Algeria – To stabilize soaring livestock prices ahead of Eid al-Adha, Algeria’s government has announced plans to import one million sheep to meet high demand. The initiative, ordered by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is part of broader efforts to curb inflation and ease economic strain on citizens.
The move follows previous government interventions to lower food costs, particularly during Ramadan. However, the scale of this year’s import plan is unprecedented. Like much of North Africa, Algeria has been grappling with prolonged drought conditions, which have reduced animal feed production and increased livestock prices. Sheep bred in Algeria’s northern highlands are highly sought after, but rising costs have made the traditional Eid sacrifice increasingly unaffordable for many families.
Last year, the government facilitated the sale of 100,000 imported sheep from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and Spain through state-run stores. However, that effort was far smaller than this year’s initiative, which seeks to prevent extreme price spikes that put the religious tradition out of reach for low-income households. In 2024, sheep prices soared to 200,000 Algerian dinars ($1,496) in some markets—ten times the country’s minimum wage.
With Eid al-Adha set for early June, Algeria’s Ministries of Agriculture and Trade are working to secure international livestock sources to meet demand. The import plan is part of a larger government strategy to curb inflation, making essentials like food and meat increasingly expensive.
The move also comes shortly after Morocco took a different approach to the holiday. Just days before Algeria’sannouncement, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI suggested that low-income Moroccans could forgo the traditional sacrifice due to rising costs. While Algerian media widely covered the decision, Algeria has taken a different route by ensuring more affordable livestock availability.
Beyond economic relief, the initiative reflects broader government efforts to maintain public satisfaction amid growing social and political unrest. While the state continues to expand subsidies and financial interventions, it also tightens control over political opposition and press freedoms.
With preparations now underway, the initiative’s success will depend on how efficiently Algeria can secure and distribute the imported sheep before the holiday.
