Eid El-Adha: Can Egyptians Afford the Feast This Year?

Updated 6/11/2024 8:00:00 AM

As Eid El Adha approaches, surging livestock costs strain household budgets, forcing some to consider alternative practices.

However, the spirit of sharing and community remains strong, with the government and charitable organizations offering a way out. Despite the economic challenges, Egyptians strive to uphold Eid El-Adha traditions.

Beyond Sacrifice: The Ripple Effect of High Meat Prices

The cost of livestock, a key element of Eid al-Adha, has risen significantly due to various factors. The price of a sheep ranges between EGP 6,000 and EGP 10,000. This translates to a larger chunk of household income being dedicated to the celebration, potentially leaving less for other necessities.

Even buying red meat could be challenging for families that will not sacrifice this year. Ahmed, a 34-year-old breadwinner, tells Arab Finance: "Livestock prices increased by 30% to 40% compared to last Eid El-Adha. Unfortunately, red meat is beyond the reach of most families."

Meanwhile, Nahla, a 28-year-old working mother, adds, "If I do not make a sacrifice, I will not buy large quantities of meat. I will buy the same amount I purchase every month, but it will certainly strain the household budget."

Confronted by rising prices, some families may opt for smaller animals or alternative protein, altering the traditional experience of Eid El-Adha.

Some households may consider forgoing the sacrifice altogether and focusing on purchasing alternative protein sources like chicken or fish.

“Unfortunately, low-income households will replace red meat with other meat types, like poultry. With rising prices for almost everything due to the USD-EGP exchange rate and inflation, red meat has become too expensive,” Ahmed explains.

Accordingly, some charitable associations provide sacrificial sukuk to help families participate in the Eid El-Adha sacrifice in accordance with Islamic principles.

However, not everyone considers Sukuk as an option. Samar, a 32-year-old housewife, says, “This year, the prices are very high, so we will not sacrifice. Yet, we do not consider the idea of Sukuk, we do not prefer them.”

Regarding sacrificing a smaller animal as an alternative, Nahla notes, “We still have not decided whether to make a sacrifice this year or not, but I have not thought about sacrificing a smaller animal like goat.”

“We will either participate in a big sacrifice like every year, such as a buffalo or something similar, or we will not sacrifice at all,” she adds.

Yet, El Adha Eid does not only revolve around sacrifices, it is also the time of Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah, the holy city for Muslims. However, unstable economic challenges have made Hajj very expensive for many people.

Mohamed, a 70-year-old breadwinner, explains to Arab Finance that he cannot give an estimation for the affordability of Haj soon.

Fluctuating exchange rates and high travel costs have made Hajj unaffordable, he points out, hoping he can perform Hajj in around five years if the economic situation stabilizes.

Making Sacrifices Affordable: Subsidizing Livestock

The Egyptian government often supports citizens during the Eid El-Adha holiday through initiatives.

The spokesman of the Ministry of Agriculture Mohamed el-Qersh previously told Arab Finance that the ministry will sell sacrificial animals at all its outlets nationwide for citizens.

The ministry’s outlets offer livestock at prices starting from EGP 150 per kilo. The price of local sheep is EGP 210 per kilo, while a kilo of barki sheep costs EGP 250. Additionally, a kilo of cow calf is priced at EGP 175, while a kilo of buffalo calf is priced between EGP 150 and EGP 155, according to el-Qersh.

To further help citizens, the government offers subsidized meat through several channels. Ahmed highlights that "part of the solution to face hiking prices, and yet enjoy the Eid Festive is the availability of Sudanese and Brazilian meat in consumer cooperatives and military vehicles.”

He also refers to the generous nature and solidarity Egyptians are known for, with those who can afford to sacrifice distributing meat to relatives and the needy during Eid.

Eid El-Adha, a celebration of joy, family, and sharing, faces a significant challenge this year with soaring meat prices.

The traditional sacrifice of livestock, a cornerstone of the celebration, has become too expensive for many Egyptians. Yet, the spirit of Eid El-Adha endures.

The government’s initiatives, such as subsidized livestock sales, help ease the burden on citizens. Charitable organizations offer alternative sacrificial practices like Sukuk, with the tradition of sharing meat with loved ones and those in need remaining strong.

By Sarah Samir