Soaring cost of livestock squeezes yuletide budgets of FCT residents
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed worry over the high cost of beef, chicken and other livestock products as the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year festivities approach. The residents described the price situation as being a setback to their celebrations as, according to them, the prices of animals have almost doubled […]
A scene from Maigatari livestock market in Jigawa State
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed worry over the high cost of beef, chicken and other livestock products as the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year festivities approach.
The residents described the price situation as being a setback to their celebrations as, according to them, the prices of animals have almost doubled in markets across Abuja City, forcing families to cut portions or go for cheaper alternatives.
A customer at the Deidei Market, Mr Titus Didam, said he came to buy an average-sized ram but had to settle for a goat at N90,000 as the price of ram was too high at N140,000. (NAN)
Another buyer, Mrs Yetunde Alao, said she came to the market with friends to share a cow as it was a cheaper alternative.
She said, “This is better for me, and I am sure for my friends too, because an average- sized chicken is still within the range of N20,000, and no matter how many I buy, it will not be enough for my family.”
Another buyer, Mr Dauda Thomas, said he could only buy beef in kilos as he could not afford a goat.
Thomas said that although the prices of other foodstuffs and some other edibles had dropped, many still struggled to get money to buy them.
He said, “It is still difficult for some households to even buy meat per kilo, which is now N7,000, talk more of a chicken or a goat.
He urged members of the public to “cut their coats according to their sizes”, adding that big spenders must also save for the new year.
Meanwhile, a livestock seller at the market, Mallam Aliyu Sani, attributed the hike in prices to the cost of livestock feeds, transportation and increased demand.
He said, “These prices have remained within this range since sallah; very little has changed. This is because transporting the animals, feeding them and other miscellaneous expenses might have affected the prices.
“Patronage is still high even though people have now resorted to group-buying as very few come to buy individually, while others just buy in portions, according to their pockets.”
A poultry farmer, Hajiya Fatima Liman, said the high cost of feed remained a huge challenge for poultry owners.
While noting that an average-sized chicken ranged from N15,000 to N22,000, sahe said, “It is Christmas, Nigerians have a good spirit for celebrations; we will always find a way no matter the difficulty. So, all is well.” (NAN)