Twenty-four hours after the celebration of Eid al-Adha 2026, the excitement has given way to calm in Ourossogui, particularly at the main livestock market, the nerve center of commerce in the region. Although the hustle and bustle has subsided, a few sheep sellers remain, hoping to sell their last unsold animals.

Tabaski, the period when demand for sheep reaches its peak, traditionally causes a surge in prices. But once the festivities are over, a drop in prices is often expected, as a consequence of decreased demand.

Nevertheless, sheep prices remain high this year. This situation, attributable to increased costs related to breeding, transport, and various other expenses, complicates the efforts of sellers who are struggling to attract buyers whose purchasing power is already limited.

At the livestock market, the prices of intermediate sheep vary between 75,000 CFA francs and 150,000 CFA francs, while those of large animals range between 250,000 CFA francs and 300,000 CFA francs.

These figures demonstrate the persistence of high prices. Yet, the region produces far more than it consumes, and also receives a significant number of animals from Mauritania and Mali, according to the vendors interviewed.

For local farmers and traders, this campaign is proving to be a real ordeal. Faced with rising livestock feed prices and transport costs, they are struggling to achieve significant sales.

Thiambel, a veteran of this market for several years, expressed his dismay at a disappointing season compared to last year when he says he sold 100 sheep. "But this time, economic constraints prevented me from reaching that figure again," he confided. He described the experience as a real struggle.

Among buyers, disappointment is palpable. Many had hoped for a price drop after the holiday, but are facing a very different reality. Kader, one of them, sums up the general feeling: "I understand that production and logistics costs influence livestock prices. However, maintaining such high prices even after the holiday is perplexing. Are we facing sustained inflation or a deliberate strategy on the part of sellers? This raises questions about the market balance."

This situation highlights the many challenges currently facing the livestock sector and the increasing weight of economic pressures on the various market players.

Mactar Ndiaye