As Eid al-Adha approaches, expected in Senegal around May 27, 2026, the situation in livestock markets across the country presents a striking paradox. While the availability of small ruminants is generally considered satisfactory by authorities and professional organizations in several areas, affordability is crippling households. From Dakar to Sédhiou, passing through Louga, Kédougou, Thiès, Kaolack, and Matam, heads of families are facing a dramatic price surge that jeopardizes the observance of this major religious tradition.

Dakar and the peri-urban zone: Vertiginous peaks against a backdrop of regional blockade

In the Senegalese capital and its surrounding areas, the anxiety of worshippers is heightened by disrupted domestic supplies. Livestock farmers point to the security crisis in Mali, where the blockade imposed by jihadist groups around Bamako is hindering the transport of livestock, even though Mali and Mauritania remain Senegal's main suppliers. In Soumbédioune, prices fluctuate extremely widely, ranging from 80,000 to 600,000 CFA francs for Ladoum and Bali-bali breeds, while in Sicap, premium rams are fetching close to one million CFA francs. Besides insecurity, the farmers of Ouakam in Sangalkam justify these costs by speculation on inputs: the bag of coral has gone from 13,000 FCFA to 21,000 FCFA, and peanut straw (ngogne) has doubled, climbing from 4,000 FCFA to 8,000 FCFA.

Louga and Thiès: Abundant stocks but unaffordable prices

In Louga, less than 24 hours before the festival, livestock markets are well-stocked, but prices range from 80,000 FCFA to 500,000 FCFA. While some livestock professionals at the House of Livestock Breeders believe the animals are available, they lament the current economic climate and the high cost of transport to other areas, despite the government's suspension of import taxes. In Thiès, the situation is similarly difficult to access in the various Koranic schools (daaraals), including at the Séwékhaye international livestock market. The Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, on a tour on May 23, 2026, was able to observe the strong presence of livestock, but lambs are not being traded there for less than 110,000 or 115,000 FCFA, prompting consumer associations to demand regional meetings and modern infrastructure to regulate the sector.

The central regions and the interior: Gloomy livestock markets and disarmed customers

The Kaolack market perfectly reflects the prevailing gloom. At the Kahone livestock market, the scarcity of customers forces vendors to walk the streets of the town to sell their animals. Apart from a few exceptions, such as the motorcycle taxi driver who managed to snag a ram for 120,000 FCFA after lengthy negotiations, most heads of households say they are powerless in the face of the economic situation. Further east, in Tambacounda, the various livestock markets, particularly the one at the train station, are experiencing a surge in both sellers and buyers. Prices there range from 120,000 FCFA to 300,000 FCFA, double the price of the previous year, according to those who frequent them. Local farmers complain about the lack of liquidity from customers and point out that the cost of livestock feed and the overall livestock deficit in Senegal prohibit any price reduction without risking selling at a loss.

Tambacounda, Kédougou and Matam: Between abundance statistics and realities on the ground

The distress of buyers is just as palpable in the east of the country, particularly in Tambacounda. The various sales points in the town, commonly called daraals, and especially the livestock market set up within the railway station grounds, have become the convergence point for thousands of sellers and buyers. Although the market is adequately supplied, customers are expressing their dismay at prices ranging from 120,000 FCFA to 300,000 FCFA. Ousmane Fall, an education inspector encountered on site, laments this situation: "The sellers have raised the bar quite high. Last year, you could buy a large ram for a low price, but this year, it's as if the prices have doubled." This observation is shared by Mbaye Dieng, a resident of the Dépôt neighborhood, for whom the amounts being asked far exceed the budgets of heads of households. For their part, livestock farmers like Moussa Dioum aren't exactly rubbing their hands with glee: customers are scarce and their pockets remain empty. To justify their situation, they cite the skyrocketing cost of livestock feed and the overall shortage of sheep in the country.

In Kédougou, data from the Regional Directorate of Livestock shows an excellent supply rate of 102.70% as of May 18, 2026, representing 13,043 small ruminants out of an estimated need of 12,700 head. Nevertheless, at the main market in the commune, prices fluctuate between 150,000 FCFA and 400,000 FCFA. Heads of households, particularly teachers, explain that the Tabaski advance—often set at 100,000 FCFA—has become insufficient and are requesting that the government increase it to 200,000 FCFA to cover the purchase of a ram and family expenses.

In Matam, the market is also supplied with "Peul-Peul" and "Touabir" breeds, with local production exceeding regional needs estimated at 45,000 head. However, at the Ourossogui livestock market, inflation is evident: the price of a good quality sheep has risen from 75,000 FCFA to between 125,000 and 150,000 FCFA, while the largest sheep (those bred for livestock) have a minimum price between 250,000 and 300,000 FCFA.

Sédhiou: The Casamance market is operating at a slow pace

In the far south of the country, the Sédhiou livestock market is experiencing a large influx of cattle from the interior, but transactions remain slow. The departmental president of the livestock breeders, Amath Sow, welcomes the availability of animals and the security provided by the police, but denounces the lack of water at the market and the exorbitant cost of feed for his constituents. Prices in Sédhiou range from 80,000 to 250,000 CFA francs. Besides the financial barrier, the quality of the livestock is strongly contested by some buyers, who deplore the poor care of animals from the itinerant trade. This lack of quality is pushing some heads of households to abandon the local market and try their luck at the livestock markets in Ziguinchor.

Across the country, Tabaski 2026 is being organized under the sign of a deep divide: livestock parks are overflowing, but the prices charged exclude a significant part of the Senegalese middle and working classes.