As Eid al-Adha, the revered Feast of Sacrifice, draws closer, set to begin on 28th June, a vast number of Tunisian Muslims are voicing their concerns over the escalating costs of living. Part of the Eid al-Adha preparations, the customary purchase of a sheep for ritual sacrifice has become out of reach for many, with inflation and high prices encumbering the nation.
Ahmed Laamiri, the president of the national butchers union, has urged the country’s Mufti to consider cancelling this year’s Eid. He highlighted a shortfall in meat production, stating, “We can merely meet half the demand, with our sheep tally standing at 650,000, far from the necessary 1.1 to 1.2 million. Furthermore, the prices are exorbitantly high. The question arises, who will bear this burden?”
The approaching 10% inflation has rippled into the cost of traditional treats. Pastries and cakes, ordinarily greatly esteemed at weddings, university graduation celebrations, and other festive events, have seen their prices rise significantly.
This year, the cost of the sacrificial mutton, akin to many other consumer goods, has surged to at least 1,000 dinars (300 euros), over twice the minimum wage in this North African nation.
“The prices of sheep range from 1,500 to 600 dinars. The soaring cost of hay significantly hikes up the price of sheep, subsequently dampening the consumer’s purchasing power,” expressed Fathi Dhifaoui, a local sheep vendor.
The economic turmoil in Tunisia manifests in ongoing shortages of staple foodstuffs, amidst heightened political tensions. The crisis has been escalating since President Kais Saied consolidated full power in July 2021, an act that rocked the democracy born from the inaugural Arab Spring revolt in 2011.
Burdened by a debt equating to 80% of its GDP, Tunisia received preliminary approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October for a loan amounting to nearly $2 billion. However, discussions have since hit a standstill due to the country’s reluctance to firmly commit to a reform programme.
Image Credit: Berke Citak on Unplash
