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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Eid-el-Kabir: Kaduna residents groan as rams sell for N1m

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Residents in Kaduna State, Nigeria, are facing exorbitant prices for rams ahead of Eid-el-Kabir, with some large breeds costing up to N1 million.
  • The soaring costs, with medium-sized rams selling between N200,000 and N450,000, are making the traditional Sallah sacrifice unaffordable for many families.
  • Traders attribute the price surge to insecurity, increased transportation costs due to fuel prices, and reduced livestock supply from affected northern communities.

Ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, residents of Kaduna State, Nigeria, are lamenting the dramatic increase in ram prices. Large breeds are now fetching prices as high as N1 million in major livestock markets, while medium-sized rams range from N200,000 to N450,000. This sharp rise has placed the traditional Sallah sacrifice beyond the financial reach of many families already grappling with economic hardship and high living costs.

What they are selling now is shocking. Imagine paying over N200,000 for an average ram while some are selling for N1m. Many people cannot even feed properly again.

· Suleiman AliyuA civil servant at the Zango livestock market, expressing concern over the unaffordable prices of rams.

Many residents expressed shock and dismay at the prices. Suleiman Aliyu, a civil servant at the Zango livestock market, noted that many households might be unable to afford rams this year. "What they are selling now is shocking. Imagine paying over N200,000 for an average ram while some are selling for N1m. Many people cannot even feed properly again," he said. Halima Sani shared that the escalating prices are forcing families to reconsider the sacrifice altogether, with some contemplating buying chickens instead due to the prohibitive cost of rams.

Things are very difficult. Some people are now thinking of buying chickens instead because ram prices are becoming impossible for ordinary workers.

· Halima SaniA resident describing the financial strain and alternative plans due to high ram prices.

Livestock traders are pointing to several factors contributing to the price surge. Salisu Abdullahi, a dealer, cited increased transportation costs due to insecurity on the roads and the high price of diesel and fuel as major issues. "Transport is one of the biggest problems. Drivers charge more because of insecurity on the roads and the high cost of diesel and fuel," he explained.

Transport is one of the biggest problems. Drivers charge more because of insecurity on the roads and the high cost of diesel and fuel.

· Salisu AbdullahiA livestock dealer explaining the impact of transportation costs and insecurity on prices.

Furthermore, traders like Ahmed Lawal mentioned that cattle rustling and attacks in northern communities have significantly reduced the supply of livestock to markets. "Insecurity has reduced the number of animals coming to the market. Many herders and suppliers are afraid because of attacks and rustling," Lawal stated. Residents are appealing to the government to address inflation and insecurity, warning that the worsening economic situation is impacting religious and social life. Lukman Ayuba lamented that he could not afford to buy rams for himself and his parents this year, noting that the price of one ram could now buy a plot of land in some areas.

Insecurity has reduced the number of animals coming to the market. Many herders and suppliers are afraid because of attacks and rustling.

· Ahmed LawalA trader attributing reduced livestock supply to insecurity in northern regions.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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