Hours before sacrifice, sudden sheep shortage sparks chaos and frustration in Moroccan markets

With Eid al-Adha only hours away, sheep markets across Morocco have descended into confusion, frustration and chaotic scenes as thousands of families scramble to find animals that many say have suddenly “disappeared” from public markets.

Since Monday night, social media has been flooded with videos from cities across the country showing unusually empty livestock areas, overcrowded market entrances and buyers chasing trucks carrying the last remaining sheep.

In several clips, people can be seen surrounding vehicles before they even stop, trying to secure an animal before supplies run out.

The situation has sparked a wave of anger online, particularly after officials repeatedly assured the public that the country had more than enough livestock available for Eid this year.

Authorities had said millions of sheep and goats would be available for the holiday season and insisted supply would exceed national demand.

However, in several major cities, residents reported that medium- and low-priced sheep became extremely difficult to find by Tuesday afternoon.

Sellers packed up early after quickly running out of animals, while some markets remained crowded late into the night with buyers still searching for suitable sheep.

Videos shared online from different regions showed large empty spaces where animals had been displayed only days earlier.

Other recordings captured tense moments as crowds gathered around newly arrived livestock trucks, with people trying to purchase sheep before they were unloaded.

The shortage has intensified public criticism over soaring Eid prices this year. Many Moroccans say the crisis goes beyond supply and demand, accusing powerful meat and livestock traders of controlling distribution to keep prices high during the final days before Eid.

The debate intensified after government officials continued to defend official livestock figures despite visible shortages on the ground.

Critics questioned how millions of sheep could be available while many families struggled to find affordable animals only hours before the celebration.

Adding to the tension, videos showed local authorities and market officials entering livestock markets to monitor prices and track suspected speculators. Online reactions were swift, with many users saying the interventions came too late.

Some residents accused traders of intentionally slowing distribution to trigger panic buying. Others blamed years of ineffective support programs and costly import policies that, they said, failed to lower prices for ordinary families.

Meanwhile, business in several livestock markets continued late into the night as buyers moved from one market to another in hopes of securing a sheep before Eid morning.

For many families, the pressure is both emotional and financial. Eid al-Adha is one of the most important religious celebrations of the year, and the prospect of going into the holiday without a sheep has created what many described online as an “unprecedented” situation.