Algeria to Import 1 Million Sheep to Curb Eid al-Adha Price Surge

Facing record drought and rising food prices, Algeria plans to import 1 million sheep ahead of Eid al-Adha. The move aims to stabilize costs and ensure availability for the annual ritual sacrifice. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has directed the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade to secure international sources, expanding on previous government interventions to control food prices. Last year, Eid sheep prices soared to $1,496—ten times the minimum wage—forcing many to abandon the tradition. The move mirrors regional efforts, with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI recently advising low-income citizens to forgo the sacrifice. While the initiative may ease inflation-driven frustrations, critics see it as part of a broader strategy to quell public discontent amid Algeria’s political crackdown.

Source: AP