Soaring livestock prices force Northwest families to share sacrificial rams

With less than a week to Eid-el-Kabir, thousands of Muslim families across Northwest States, including Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kaduna, are grappling with unprecedented livestock prices, forcing many households to abandon plans to buy rams individually and instead pool resources to purchase cows or camels for the annual sacrifice.

Across major livestock markets in the region, traders and buyers described a difficult season marked by soaring animal prices, weak purchasing power and declining patronage, as economic hardship continues to squeeze household incomes.

For many families, the traditional Sallah ram has become increasingly out of reach.

At Kano’s Naibawa livestock market, ram seller, Ibrahim Yunusa, said demand had dropped sharply compared to previous years despite the approaching festival.

According to him, medium-sized rams that sold for about N300,000 last year now cost more than N500,000, while larger breeds previously priced around N400,000 now sell between N700,000 and N1.3 million.

“Only a few people are buying because the prices are too high this year,” he lamented.

A similar situation was observed at Hotoro livestock market, where trader Alhaji Abba Yau said rams that sold for about N200,000 during last year’s Eid-el-Kabir now attract between N350,000 and N450,000.

The rising cost has compelled many residents in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina and neighbouring States to seek alternatives allowed under Islamic tradition, where up to seven people can jointly contribute towards the purchase of a cow or camel for sacrifice.

At livestock markets in Wudil and Danbatta, several prospective buyers said they had begun discussing collective purchases with relatives, neighbours and friends.

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“We cannot afford a ram alone this year,” said a civil servant who identified himself simply as Musa. “The only option is to contribute money with family members and buy a cow together.”

Traders noted that although prices of cows and camels have also increased significantly, they still offer better value because the cost can be shared among several contributors while yielding more meat.

According to dealers, camels that sold for around N400,000 last year now cost about N700,000, while larger animals previously sold for roughly N900,000 are now approaching N1.4 million.

Livestock merchants attributed the sharp increase in prices to multiple factors, including rising transportation costs, expensive animal feed and persistent insecurity affecting farming and grazing communities across northern Nigeria.

Many traders said insecurity along major livestock routes has disrupted supply chains, while higher fuel prices have increased the cost of transporting animals from breeding centres to urban markets.

In Kebbi State, the situation is equally challenging, with markets filled with livestock but attracting fewer buyers.
A survey of major markets in Ambursa and Kalgo revealed hundreds of rams on display, yet commercial activities remained sluggish as many residents delayed purchases in anticipation of possible price reductions before the festival.

Small-sized rams currently sell for between N100,000 and N200,000, medium-sized animals attract between N300,000 and N500,000, while larger breeds command prices ranging from N600,000 to N1 million.

Prospective buyer Ibrahim Sulaiman said he was postponing his purchase in the hope that prices would decline closer to Eid.

Another resident, Umar Lawal Aliero, said mounting family responsibilities had made it difficult to buy a ram at prevailing market rates.

“School expenses, household needs and preparations for Sallah have stretched many families beyond their limits,” he said.

Livestock dealer Alhaji Sale Unable attributed the soaring prices to escalating transportation expenses, higher feeding costs and security challenges affecting the movement of animals from parts of northern Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

To boost sales, traders in Kebbi have expanded beyond traditional livestock markets by establishing temporary sales points in residential neighbourhoods across Birnin Kebbi.

Some sellers now move from street to street with their animals, while others display livestock in front of homes, shops and along major roads in search of customers. Despite these efforts, buyers remain cautious.

With the festival drawing nearer, traders are hoping for the traditional last-minute rush that usually characterises the Sallah season. For many families across the Northwest, however, purchasing decisions will depend largely on whether livestock prices become more affordable in the coming days.

For now, the region’s livestock markets reflect the economic realities confronting many Nigerians: animals are available, but fewer households can afford to buy them alone.