Climate Crisis Tightens Supplies and Raises Prices as North Africa Celebrates Eid Al-Adha

Once abundant across North Africa’s mountainous pastures and coastal plains, flocks of sheep now face a region-wide shortage driven by the relentless impacts of climate change. As Muslims across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and beyond prepare for Eid Al-Adha, the traditional sacrifice of sheep is becoming increasingly difficult amid soaring costs and dwindling supplies.

Every year, the ritual of slaughtering sheep honors the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, a foundational act of obedience in Islam. But this year, rising prices and shrinking herds threaten to disrupt a deeply rooted religious tradition.

At a bustling market near Algiers, breeders lamented the sharp rise in costs. “It’s the same sheep as last year, same size and weight, but it costs $75 more,” said Slimane Aouadi, a doctor and prospective buyer. With inflation soaring, sheep now sell for more than $1,200 a staggering sum in countries where average monthly incomes are often below $270.

A Region Under Climate Strain

The crisis is not just economic but environmental. Prolonged droughts seven years in some areas have decimated grazing lands, forcing herders to buy expensive supplemental feed like barley, straw, and alfalfa, which are often imported. Overgrazing and climate stress have degraded natural forage, shrinking herds and making traditional pastoral farming increasingly unsustainable.

Algerian authorities have responded by planning to import a staggering one million sheep to compensate for domestic shortages, a move that could cost between $230 and $260 million. Meanwhile, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has broken with tradition, urging Muslims to abstain from sacrificing sheep this Eid due to the crisis. The kingdom’s livestock markets have been closed to prevent mass purchases, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Economic and Social Ramifications

The shrinking herds and rising costs are hitting middle-class families hardest, threatening the cultural and religious significance of Eid sacrifices. “Most livestock farming in North Africa is pastoral, relying on rain-fed natural vegetation,” explained Najib Akesbi, an economist and former professor. “Drought and climate change are destroying these natural resources, forcing breeders to sell assets and leave rural areas.”

Breeders like Achraf Majdoubi warn of a bleak future. With higher feed prices tripling in Morocco and dwindling reserves, many are abandoning their herds, and some may never return. The economic toll extends beyond individual farmers, threatening to diminish a centuries-old tradition deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the region.

As the region faces these unprecedented challenges, the coming Eid promises to be both a testament to faith and a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate impacts threatening the livelihoods and traditions of North Africa.