Algeria Eyes Mauritania for Sheep Imports as Aïd el-Adha Approaches
Image: TSA
Takeaway
The potential import of sheep from Mauritania highlights Algeria's efforts to manage domestic supply and prices ahead of Aïd el-Adha. International investors in the livestock and agricultural sectors should monitor these developments, as they could indicate opportunities for trade and investment in Algeria's agricultural supply chain. Companies involved in logistics, veterinary services, and halal meat processing may also see increased demand.
Algeria is considering Mauritania as a potential supplier for the importation of one million sheep ahead of the 2026 Aïd el-Adha. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced on Saturday, February 28, 2026, that Mauritania has been added to the short-list of countries from which Algeria may source the livestock. Aïd el-Adha is expected to occur on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
The move to include Mauritania in the list of potential suppliers is part of Algeria's broader strategy to ensure sufficient supply and stabilize prices during the religious holiday. In March 2025, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune instructed ministers to launch plans for importing one million sheep to meet demand and avoid the price spikes that occurred during the previous year's Eid, when sheep prices reached as high as DZD 200,000 (~$1,496). This initiative builds upon previous efforts, such as the facilitation of 100,000 sheep sales in state-run stores in 2025, sourced from countries like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and Spain.
EPE Alviar SPA, an Algerian state-owned company, launched an international tender for the purchase of one million sheep for slaughter, requiring suppliers to comply with Algeria's sanitary requirements and deliver the animals to Algerian ports by May 20, 2026. The tender specifies that prices must be submitted for lots ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 sheep, remaining valid for 20 days. The conditions for supply include a preference for male sheep, with a maximum of 20% females allowed, weighing between 35 and 65 kilograms and aged between six and 24 months.
The inclusion of Mauritania could benefit Algerian consumers by ensuring a stable supply of sheep for the Aïd el-Adha sacrifice, preventing price gouging and making the religious tradition more accessible. It could also benefit Mauritanian livestock farmers by providing a large export market for their sheep. The designated delivery ports are Ghazaouet, Oran, Mostaganem, Ténès, Algiers, Bejaia, Jijel, Skikda, and Annaba.
Algeria's decision on whether to proceed with sheep imports from Mauritania will likely depend on factors such as competitive pricing, adherence to sanitary standards, and logistical feasibility. The outcome of the international tender launched by EPE Alviar SPA will be a key indicator. Market participants should monitor the tender results and any announcements from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the coming weeks.