Red meat prices surge in Morocco ahead of Eid al-Adha

Red meat prices in Morocco have continued to rise just days before Eid al-Adha, sparking concerns among consumers and retailers alike, according to industry sources cited by local media.

Retail prices for red meat have climbed to between 130 and 150 dirhams per kilogram in many parts of the country, sources in the meat sector told Hespress.

They also reported that some butcher shops are struggling to meet an unusually high volume of customer requests ahead of the holiday.

A major contributing factor to the price hike is the pressure on large slaughterhouses, which are facing daily caps on the number of animals allowed to be processed. This constraint, coupled with high demand, has led to concerns about possible meat shortages in the market.

In major cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier, consumers are reportedly purchasing large quantities of meat — often between 10 and 20 kilograms per household — to prepare for Eid. This surge in buying activity is adding further strain to the already tight supply.

Sources also pointed to missteps by meat importers, particularly those bringing in products from Spain. According to industry insiders, imported meat volumes were too low to stabilize the market and failed to meet the expected holiday demand. The limited capacity of local slaughterhouses has compounded the problem, leaving gaps in supply.

However, not all meat products have seen price hikes. Prices for organ meats such as liver and tripe have dropped significantly, thanks to the arrival of large imported shipments. Tripe prices, for instance, have fallen to around 300 dirhams — down from more than 600 dirhams in recent days — while imported liver is now selling for less than 150 dirhams per kilogram.

Despite the mounting supply-side issues, the report also attributes part of the price spike to consumer behavior. According to sources, the pace and scale of purchasing have been unusually high, even though many butchers are planning to reopen their shops shortly after the holiday.

Unlike in previous years, when many butcher shops remained closed for up to a month post-Eid, this year will see most resuming operations by mid-next week. The change comes amid the nationwide suspension of sheep slaughter for Eid al-Adha, following a royal directive, which has reshaped holiday traditions and market dynamics.