Minister: Morocco Earmarked 5.8 Million Sheep, Goats for Eid Al-Adha

Rabat – Mohamed Sadiki, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, revealed on Monday that a staggering 5.8 million sheep and goats have been identified for the upcoming Eid Al-Adha celebrations.

Sadiki stated that this figure includes 158,000 animals imported into the country, indicating a significant surplus in supply compared to demand.

During a session at the Chamber of Counselors, Sadiki addressed inquiries regarding preparations for Eid Al-Adha, noting a slight decline in both the sheep and goat populations compared to the previous year.

Sheep numbers decreased by 2%, amounting to 20.3 million heads, while goat numbers experienced a 4% decline, totaling 5.4 million heads.

The minister further disclosed that 214,000 units of sheep and goat breeding and fattening have been registered for the Eid Al-Adha sacrifice.

A comprehensive assessment conducted by the ministry, in collaboration with industry professionals, forecasts a total supply of 7.8 million animals this year, comprising 6.8 million sheep and one million goats.

The projection exceeds the estimated demand of around 6 million animals, including 5.4 million sheep and 600,000 goats.

Regarding livestock health measures, Sadiki assured the implementation of rigorous surveillance and health monitoring operations, alongside protective measures against infectious diseases. He affirmed the overall good health status of the national herd.

The minister also provided updates on surveillance efforts related to animal feed and veterinary drugs, reporting a total of 1,486 operations as of May 31.

The operations resulted in the drafting of six reports forwarded to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, highlighting instances of illegal veterinary drug sales and non-compliant animal feed seizures.

In terms of logistics, Sadiki emphasized collaborative efforts with the Ministry of the Interior, local authorities, and territorial communities to establish 34 temporary livestock markets nationwide. These measures aim to bolster existing infrastructure in preparation for Eid Al-Adha.