The weekly rural souk is the hub of all activity in the countryside. It is a place of meetings, trade, exchange… It is equipped with the administrative equipment and public services necessary for the populations of the douars and tribes of the region hosting the souk. There is also the headquarters of the rural municipality, health centers, veterinarians as well as schools for secondary studies (middle and high schools). In short, it is a vital social space for the inhabitants of the rural world. Years pass and these souks, estimated at nearly 900 across Morocco, seem to be lagging behind the pace of development of the country in general. The difficulties multiply over time. There are more and more equipment management and logistical problems that penalize the development of these sites. Not to mention the poor sanitary and hygienic control compared to consumer products and particularly meat. The souks in rural areas are the main suppliers of this commodity. Tens of thousands of tons are thus sold each year. This means that it is almost mission impossible for the very limited staff available to the health control and hygiene services. And here, it should be emphasized that we are not talking about the souks that have become famous for their growing urban expansion since the 1990s, and which today look like real cities. Sidi Bennour, Had Soualem, Tit Mellil and many others are no longer simple souks but rather urban agglomerations in their own right.
