L’Eid Al-Adha 2024 will be remembered as a celebration marked by unprecedented economic challenges. Inflation and persistent drought have led to a 20-30% increase in the price of sheep compared to the previous year, putting a strain on household purchasing power. Yet this religious holiday, deeply rooted in Moroccan culture, has once again demonstrated its role as an economic and social driver for the country. Eid Al-Adha marks a period of increased consumption, when Moroccans spend not only on sheep, but also on various goods and services.
According to a study carried out by the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the cost of sacrifice represents around 30% of the annual budget of Moroccan households dedicated to meat. In 2023, total expenditure incurred by households in Morocco during Aid Al-Adha is estimated at more than 18 billion dirhams. Families invest in new clothes, decorations and quality foods to celebrate the holiday. This increase in consumption translates into a significant increase in sales for local merchants. The markets are lively and the shopping centers are recording record attendance, thus boosting the local economy. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, around 6 million sheep were sacrificed in 2023, generating a turnover of more than 16 billion dirhams for breeders.
“Eid al-Adha is a breath of fresh air for livestock farmers, especially in a context of prolonged drought,” says Driss El Habib, an economist and agricultural sector specialist. Brahim Bentaher, a livestock farmer in the Meknes region, confirms: “Despite the increase in fodder prices that reduced our margins this year, we managed to sell all of our livestock.”
Creation of temporary jobs
The preparation and celebration of Eid Al-Adha creates many temporary jobs. Butchers, transporters, and fodder sellers all benefit from this period. Many young people find work helping to prepare sheep and manage markets. “During Eid, we see a significant increase in temporary jobs in both rural and urban areas,” explains our specialist.
These jobs, although temporary, provide a welcome source of income for many Moroccan families and thus mitigate the effects of seasonal unemployment. Around Aid Al-Adha, a multitude of small businesses are emerging to meet the growing demand for specific services. Butchers are particularly in demand for the sacrifice and cutting of sheep, with service prices varying between 200 and 350 DH (between slaughtering and cutting), depending on the city and neighborhood. The sale of charcoal, essential for barbecues, is booming, as is that of livestock fodder. Sheep transporters offer their services to transport the animals to buyers’ homes. Knife sharpeners are not left out and see their small businesses flourish. Even the management of sheepfolds, where sheep are kept temporarily, is becoming a very lucrative seasonal profession.
Finally, local grocery stores are seeing a surge in sales due to additional purchases of supplies for the holiday. “Eid al-Adha is a real golden period for small trades. We are seeing an increase of almost 30% in informal activities during this period, which is positive for needy households,” explains El Habib.
Increase in overnight stays in hotels
This holiday is also a time of family reunions, where many Moroccans living abroad or in other cities return to their native region. This flow of travelers is leading to an increase in reservations at hotels and guesthouses, especially in rural areas and small towns. According to the National Federation of the Hospitality Industry, hotel occupancy rates increase by 25% on average during this period.
“We recorded a very satisfactory occupancy rate during Eid Al-Adha,” one of the managers of a hotel in Marrakech told us. The reservation rate in several hotels reached 100% during this Eid period, which coincides with the start of school holidays and with the rise in temperatures. Beyond the purely economic aspects, Eid al-Adha strengthens social and family ties. Family celebrations and acts of solidarity, such as distributing meat to the needy, strengthen the Moroccan social fabric. Charitable associations and community initiatives also see an increase in their activities during this period by contributing to mutual aid and social cohesion.
