Eid al-Adha: Ram prices remain high as truckloads flood markets

With just days to the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, prices of rams have continued to surge across the country, creating fear and uncertainty among the Muslim faithful, Daily Trust can report. From Abuja, Kano, Lagos, among others, Nigerians have continued to speak on high prices of rams with an average mid-sized or large-sized ram selling as much […]

With just days to the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, prices of rams have continued to surge across the country, creating fear and uncertainty among the Muslim faithful, Daily Trust can report.

From Abuja, Kano, Lagos, among others, Nigerians have continued to speak on high prices of rams with an average mid-sized or large-sized ram selling as much as over N1m.

Daily Trust reports that Muslim faithful across the country have intensified preparation for the Eid-El-Kabir festival also known as festival of sacrifice where Muslim faithful who have the wherewithal are expected to slaughter rams to commemorate the festival.

Slaughtering of livestock like rams, goats, cows, among other halal animals symbolises Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering obedience to Allah as shown by his willingness to sacrifice his son.

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Ram is however described as the most cherished animal to be slaughtered.

But for many Muslims, it is becoming increasingly difficult to afford a ram for the festival following the skyrocketing prices of rams and other livestock as the Sallah festival approaches.

Dealers decry low patronage as prices soar in Abuja

Ram sellers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, are complaining of low patronage, which the customers are attributing to high cost of the animals and the economic situation in the country.

Findings by our reporter showed that the prices had gone up, far beyond last year, with many faithful saying they find it difficult to afford the animal for sacrifice.

The least price one can get a ram no matter how small in Abuja is N200,000.

Our reporter, who went round the ram markets across the city, reports that depending on their sizes, the prices range from N200,000 to N1.2 million.

At the cattle market located at Unguwar Sabon Tasha in Abaji Area Council, where rams are sold, a small ram which was sold at between N120 and N150,000 last year is now sold between N200,000 to N250,000. 

A middle-sized ram which was also sold for N200,000 and N230,000 last year is now between N270,000 and N300,000, while the big-sized ram which was sold at between N300,000 and N350,000 is now sold at N450,000 and N520,000, while the bigger ones which were sold last year for between N560,000 and N620,000 are now sold at N800,000 to N1.2 million.

At a cattle market in Kwali Area Council, findings also showed that prices of rams this year have surged as the medium-sized ram which was sold at N120,000 and N140,000 last year, is now sold at between N180,000 and N230,000 while the big-sized ones which were sold at N185,000 to N260,000 last year now go for between N340,000 and 450,000 while the bigger-sized ones which were sold at N480,000 and N500,000 now go for N550,000 to N780,000.

At Gwagwalada cattle market located along Gwako-Giri-Abuja-Lokoja highway, findings also showed that prices of rams have witnessed sharp increase with a medium-sized ram, which went for N170,000 to N200,000 last year, is now sold at N250,000 and N300,000, while the big-sized ones that were sold at N350,000 and N400,000 are now sold at N600,000 and N75,000.

Fair sales in Kano despite inflation

Professor Abdulmalik Auwal, the chairman of livestock dealers at Gandun Albasa Livestock Market, said there is fair sale in their market despite the inflation and hike in the rams’ prices.

He said, “The sales are relatively slow so far, though we are still optimistic things will eventually change. Two factors are involved for the low sales; first is inflation, people don’t have money so they are after food, and most civil servants are yet to get their salaries. I am a civil servant myself, but yet to receive my last months’ salary.

“We thank God here that despite these challenges, we still record sales since our rams are affordable. An average ram costs between N200,000 to N250,000, while the biggest we have sold so far here is the one we sold here yesterday at the rate of N800,000. I have even sold that for N1.5m earlier. While the smaller one could slaughter is around N150,000.”

He however stated that the low sale might be due to the fact that most people don’t have where to keep the rams; they mostly prefer to buy it on the Sallah day or a day before it.

On whether the recent ban on importing rams from Niger Republic has affected their business, Professor Auwal said, “If you look at this market, you will see that it is already flooded with rams, and, except something happens, our rams are enough to sustain us for this Sallah.”

At Kofar Na’isa Rams Market also, a seller, Sulaiman Muhammad Yahaya, said the market records relatively fair sales, though the rams’ prices are a bit higher than last year.

He attributed the price hike to the increase in prices of the livestock feeds.

“The biggest ram I sold here is around N700,000. While a small one is around 150,000,” he said.

Musa Umar, a ram buyer at Goron Dutse Livestock Market in Kano, said the ram he bought at the rate of N300,000 is not as big as the one he bought at similar price last year.

He said, “I wish I could buy at least two but the economic reality is this is what I could afford for now, we thank God even at that, but this inflation is seriously affecting us.”

Ram prices soar in Yola

The cost of rams in Yola has significantly increased compared to the previous year, a development attributed to reduced local rearing and difficulties in importing animals from neighbouring countries. 

Ladan Salihu Muhammed, the Sarkin Tikken (Head of the Ram Herders) Yola, confirmed the surge in prices, citing several contributing factors.

“The prices of rams this year are higher than last year’s because last year, so many individuals engaged themselves in the rearing of the rams, unlike this year,” Muhammed explained. 

He pointed to a notable shift in supply dynamics from outside Nigeria: “The rams we usually get from Cameroon and Chad, we didn’t get them this year because of the fall in our currency and the CFA is higher than the naira.” 

He elaborated on the financial hurdle: “People use plenty of money to get rams from there. The money used in getting a ram from Cameroon is almost N600,000 here.” 

This disparity, he noted, has made imports largely unfeasible. 

“So, we hardly get rams from Cameroon and Chad again, adding that the rams we have in Nigeria won’t be enough for everyone; that’s why it has to be expensive,” he said.

“The prices of rams vary,” Muhammed confirmed. “We have the one for N750,000, N650,000, down to N150,000; it depends on the buyer’s capacity.”

Muhammed said a key reason for the reduced local supply this year is the financial losses incurred by many individuals who engaged in home rearing last year. 

However, he noted the resilience of professional herders: “Those that this is their job, despite the losses, they still engage into the business.”

Adding to the cost burden for herders is the escalating price of feed.

“The food of the rams is also expensive; all these need to be put into consideration,” he emphasised, explaining why prices at the market are higher.

Buyers at the Tashan Sani Ram Market in Yola expressed dismay over the rising costs. 

Hajiya Binta Ahmadu, a buyer, lamented the significant increase.

Similarly, Alh. Garba Saleh, another customer, voiced his frustration but acknowledged his commitment to tradition.

Ram trucks flood Lagos amid low patronage

On the Lagos-Ogun axis, Kara Market along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has seen a surge in activities following the arrival of several truckloads of rams early Tuesday morning, Daily Trust can report.

The market, one of the biggest livestock hubs in Lagos, was bustling with traders offloading animals and calling out to passersby, hoping to make quick sales.

However, despite the increased supply, many ram sellers say patronage has not matched expectations.

“We brought in three full trucks from Katsina this morning,” said Alhaji Usman Shehu, a livestock trader.

“But buyers are pricing as it was last year. Things are tough for everybody. People want to buy, but they don’t have the money.”

Prices at the market remain high, with medium-sized rams selling for between ₦180,000 and ₦250,000, while larger animals go for as much as N400,000 to N600,000.

Sellers attribute the hike to the cost of transporting livestock from northern states, coupled with insecurity and high feed prices.

Malam Idris Musa, another seller from Sokoto, said many traders are now reducing their prices slightly in a bid to attract buyers.

“Some of us are ready to lose a little profit just to sell before Sallah day. There are too many rams and not enough buyers,” he said.

The arrival of the trucks caused temporary gridlock on the expressway, with livestock spilling onto the roadside and vehicles parked haphazardly.

Officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were seen managing the flow of vehicles.

Shoppers who visited the market expressed mixed feelings. “I’ve been coming to Kara for years, but I’ve never seen prices this high,” said Bashir Adebayo, a civil engineer.

“I might end up buying a smaller ram or even a goat this time. What matters is the sacrifice, not the size,” he added.

Although the Ogun State government had announced plans last year to relocate Kara Market to the Ogere International Market to address environmental and traffic concerns, the directive has not been enforced.

The market continues to operate in its present location, drawing thousands of buyers and traders in the lead-up to the festival.

Despite the challenges, traders at Kara remain hopeful that sales will pick up as the festival draws closer.

“Nigerians like to buy at the last minute,” Alhaji Usman said with a shrug. “We are still expecting a rush by Thursday or Friday.”