High Eid Sheep Prices in Tunisia Spark Outrage Despite Favorable Weather and Feed Cost Drop

Watan-Despite rainfall in recent months that reduced livestock farmers’ dependence on feed and encouraged grazing on natural pastures, sheep prices remain high across Tunisia. According to Anadolu Agency, prices for sacrificial sheep range between 700 and 2,000 Tunisian dinars (about $233–$667). The government set a reference price for live sheep at 21.9 dinars per kilogram ($7.30).

On May 20, the state-run Livestock and Dairy Board announced the adoption of a reference price of 21.9 dinars/kg at organized sales points, starting from May 29. These prices apply to supervised points of sale coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and related agencies.

The board called on livestock breeders to actively participate in these monitored sales and encouraged citizens to buy their sacrificial animals from those points. Although the set price remains the same as last year, actual prices in most markets are significantly higher.

A Season of Surplus, Yet Expensive

Mohamed Rajaybi, a member of the Tunisian Farmers Union, stated:”We have 1.2 million sheep available, while demand is around 900,000.”

He acknowledged past years of drought and vegetation scarcity had reduced herd sizes but noted that 2024 is an exceptional season, with improved vegetation and decreased feed prices. However, production costs and accumulated hardships for farmers must be factored into prices.

Lutfi Riahi, president of the non-governmental Tunisian Consumer Guidance Organization, criticized the state’s reference price, saying:”It’s not binding and hasn’t been respected.

He added that butchers selling lamb meat for 55–60 dinars/kg make it impossible for farmers to sell live sheep at 21.9 dinars/kg.

Riahi emphasized:”Until the government sets a fixed retail price for red meat, market prices will remain high.”
He noted that the state-owned meat company sells lamb at 43 dinars/kg, while retailers charge 50 or more, even though both buy from the same farmers.

“With the minimum wage at 450 dinars ($150), sheep priced between 700 and 2,000 dinars are simply unaffordable.”

He also questioned the disconnect between falling feed costs and stagnant or rising sheep prices. For example, the cost of dry forage dropped from 18 dinars in 2023 to 6 dinars this year, and straw fell from 10 dinars to just 2. Still, retail lamb prices remain high.

Riahi called for setting the price of lamb meat at 35 dinars/kg and noted:”It’s illogical for live sheep to be more expensive than imported chilled meat priced at 38.5 dinars/kg.”

Farmers Defend Pricing

Fathi Riahi, a livestock breeder from Keflat (Béja), disagreed, saying:
“Our prices are fair for average consumers. A large sheep costs around 1,300–1,400 dinars.”
He denied feed price reductions, explaining that compound feed costs 73 dinars per 50 kg, and barley costs 150 dinars per 100 kg. He maintained that current sheep prices mirror last year’s, and farmers aim to break even, not profit.

Alternative Sale Models

Mokhtar Riahi, director of “Al-Imtiaz” company in Keflat, shared another model:”We offered 300 sheep at 20 dinars/kg—lower than the government’s 21.9 dinars—and sold out in two days.”

He explained that younger or lighter sheep (under 20 kg) cannot be sold at the same rate as larger ones without financial loss for breeders.

He also noted that many sheep on the market are from last year’s stock, not this year’s lambs, which are still too young for Eid slaughter.

“We hope the government grants us land for future investment so we can supply 1,000–1,500 sheep and help reduce market prices.”