HIBAPRESS – Oujda: Ahmed Al-Musaid
With the approach of the blessed Eid al-Adha, the "HIBAPRESS" camera monitored the pulse of the market in the livestock markets in the Oriental region, specifically from the heart of "Souk Al-Mezwariya", where opinions varied between optimism from the breeders with the abundance of supply and their shock from the stagnation of buying and selling in light of the high cost of living and production costs.
In a field tour, a number of breeders confirmed to "HIBAPRESS" that the market is experiencing a state of unusual "stagnation" at this time. According to a statement from one of them (a seller and buyer throughout the year), the market witnessed a noticeable decline in prices today compared to the past days, as a decrease was recorded between 500 and 600 dirhams per head as a result of the absence of "speculators" and buyers at this moment, which made the "commodity" return to its pens without being sold.
The breeder revealed in his frank speech about a "burning" that livestock breeders are experiencing; While the consumer accuses the breeder of greed, the latter explains that the cost of fattening has become an unbearable burden. Where the price of a quintal of "grain" (barley) reached record levels (about 350 dirhams), while sheep are sold at prices ranging between 2600 and 3200 dirhams, which the breeder sees as a price that does not even cover the expenses of "fodder", saying: "The breeder just wants to be satisfied and cut his head, and he doesn't see profit anymore" He adds "We do not want direct financial support that is given by hand and withdrawn by the other through the high cost of feed, our basic demand is to reduce the price of bran and barley to ensure market stability"
Despite the complaints of high prices, the professionals reassured citizens that "goodness exists", stressing that prices are affordable for everyone according to their ability:
Medium sheep: start from 2000 to 2400 dirhams.
Excellent sheep: may reach 4000 or 5000 dirhams.
It is also expected that demand will increase with the approach of Eid day with a slight increase ranging between 100 and 300 dirhams as a result of the pressure of demand.
The meeting did not lack criticism of the mechanism for distributing state support; Where field practitioners believe that providing "grain" at subsidized prices (around 200 dirhams per quintal) and bran at reasonable prices is much more useful than direct financial grants that do not always reach those entitled to them from small breeders, considering that the stability of the feed price is the only valve to ensure a "Dervish Eid" par excellence.
