HIBAPRESS – Abdelatif Baraka
With the approach of Eid al-Adha, the discussion in Morocco returns regarding methods of selling sacrifices. This is amidst a clear variance in the sizes and weights of the sheep herds offered in the markets, and the accompanying price disparities raise consumer questions about the pricing standards used.
During the past few years, it has been observed that a portion of Moroccans has begun to move towards large supermarkets, where sacrifices are offered according to the system of selling by weight, instead of the traditional method based on selling by the piece. This trend, though still limited, reflects a desire among some consumers to achieve a greater degree of transparency, by linking the price to the actual weight of the sacrifice.
Those interested believe that adopting selling by the scale can contribute to achieving a kind of fairness between buyers, especially in light of the different weights within the sheep herds. A citizen might find themselves paying the same price for a sacrifice that weighs less compared to another.
This system also allows the consumer the freedom to choose what suits their purchasing power, without being tied to a fixed price that does not always reflect the actual value of the sacrifice.
In contrast, traditional selling still dominates in most markets and points of sale, especially in rural areas and weekly markets, where direct negotiation between the seller and the buyer is relied upon, which some consider part of the rituals associated with Eid al-Adha in Morocco.
This discussion also raises other problems, including the extent to which the system of selling by the scale can be generalized from an organizational point of view, in addition to questions related to the legal aspects, although the origin of the sacrifice is to meet the legal requirements related to age and safety, without a direct connection to the method of sale.
In light of these data, it seems that adopting selling by the scale in Morocco remains an option, but it has not yet become a general rule, pending the interaction of various actors to find a formula that balances transparency, the specificity of the local market, and preserving the traditional character of this religious rite.
