Soaring cattle prices squeeze Eid trade in northern Nigeria

Livestock traders in Northern Nigeria are facing financial strain, as surging cattle prices and security concerns disrupt commerce in Borno state ahead of Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, dampening activity during one of the region’s peak trading periods.

Residents and traders who spoke with BusinessDay in the Maiduguri cattle markets, a key livestock trading hub locally known as Kazuwan-Zhanu, said that recent insecurity in Borno and Yobe states has forced traders to abandon traditional domestic supply routes in favour of intermediaries importing livestock from neighbouring Chad and Cameroon.

Key trade hubs like the Banki and Ngala markets are becoming high-risk zones—where the threat of kidnapping and violence by Boko Haram insurgents is a constant, looming danger.

Ahmed Kaumi, a trader at the popular Kazuwan-Zhanu market, said this phenomenon has resulted in additional transportation costs, contrary to what was obtained in the past, when there was relative insecurity in that part of the country.

“The same size of ram we sold during last year’s Sallah for N450,000 is now being sold for between N600,000 and N650,000. A ram of N130,000 is now being sold at N250,000, while a ram at the N70,000 rate is now N120,000.”

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Corroborating, another trader at the cattle market, Alhaji Muhammad, said, “We cannot go to Banki or Ngala market again to buy rams due to security challenges and bad terrain in those markets; we don’t want to be killed or kidnapped by the Boko Haram. So, we only rely on middlemen who brought in the rams, and that’s why the prices are a bit higher than last year.

Muhammad stated that the cost of loading a trailer from Maiduguri to Lagos has gone up astronomically, from between N1,000,000 and N1,500,000 last year to N3.5 million and N4.5 million, at the moment.

“We have no other option than to increase the prices of rams to cater for the cost of transportation, which has taken a large chunk of what is supposed to be our profits,” he said.

Bunu Kaka, who spoke with our correspondent, said that the same size of ram he bought last year for N300,000 is now being sold for between N650,000 and N700,000.

He resolved not to buy the ram early, hoping that it would be cheaper immediately after the Eid Prayer.

Adamawa traders lament poor sales

Traders across major markets in Adamawa State expressed concern over low patronage, lamenting that poor economic conditions and reduced purchasing power are affecting business activities during what is usually a peak sales period.

At the popular Ram Market along the Yola Bypass, sellers displayed rams of various sizes and prices, hoping to attract buyers. Despite the large turnout of traders, many complained that customers were scarce compared to previous years.

Speaking with BusinessDay, a ram seller, Umar Bello, said he had not made a single sale since morning, attributing the situation to financial hardship among residents.

“Unlike previous years when we sold between three and five rams daily during the Sallah period, business is now very slow. Even selling two rams in a day has become difficult despite the slight drop in prices,” he said.

Bello explained that the prices of rams this season range between N250,000 and N500,000 depending on their size and how they were reared. According to him, rams raised at home are often more expensive because of the cost of feeding and maintenance, while those raised through open grazing are usually cheaper and leaner.

Vegetable traders are also facing similar challenges. Fresh tomatoes and pepper, which are currently scarce due to seasonal factors, have become more expensive, further discouraging buyers.

A vegetable seller, Musa Gerei, said that although the Adamawa State Government has maintained prompt payment of salaries, cash flow in the market remains poor, making sales difficult for traders dealing in perishable goods.

“Our goods are perishable and can spoil within one or two days. The weather is not helping matters, and low patronage is making business frustrating,” he said.

Some residents who visited the market also blamed the rising cost of living for the reduced spending during the festive season. Bilkisu Ismael and Hamisu Iliya, in separate remarks, said many families are now prioritising essential needs over celebrations.

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Southwest residents cut back on the feast

In the Southwest, many who are unable to afford a ram for the traditional sacrifice are cutting back on the feast owing to the soaring prices.

“Most of the people I know who usually slaughter a ram for Eid celebration won’t be doing so this year,” said Kazeem Bello, a private school teacher in Ketu.

“Prices are surging again. I need four months’ salary to afford a ram at the current prevailing price,” he said, noting that he will be celebrating Eid el-Kabir on a smaller scale this year.

Habeeb Bakare, a civil servant, said that the rising cost of ram and other livestock is making it difficult for Muslim faithfuls like himself to fulfil the religious obligation of sacrificing rams during the festival.

“I cannot even afford to buy ram this year because of the high cost.” I wanted to celebrate with my extended family in Ibadan. But I have changed my plans and won’t be travelling again.”

Femi Afisuru, a storekeeper at a manufacturing firm in Ikeja, said for the first time in his adult life, he would be pooling resources together with relatives to buy a ram for the celebration.

“Yearly, I usually buy my own ram. But I won’t be doing that this year because of the high prices,” he said. “I will be joining others to buy a ram for the celebration,” he added.

BusinessDay survey across ram markets in Agege, Kara, and Mile 12 markets shows that a small-sized ram sells for an average of N350,000 as against N200,000 sold in January this year, a 75 percent increase in price.

A large ram sells for an average of N700,000, depending on the breed and size, compared with N350,000 in January, indicating a 100 percent increase.

Traders attributed the increase to rising transportation costs, high cost of animal feed, and worsening insecurity.

Salisu Mohammed, a livestock dealer in Agege, noted that the cost of transporting rams from Jigawa, Kano, and other northern states had nearly doubled due to the recent surge in diesel and fuel prices.

The cost of fuel and diesel has jumped by 62 percent and 98 percent, respectively, year to date, according to BusinessDay’s market checks. This is owing to the ongoing Iran war that has disrupted a major oil supply chain.

The recent surge in fuel and diesel prices has led to a renewed cost-of-living crisis in Africa’s most populous nation.

Prices of staples are surging again, and food inflation climbed to 16.06 percent in April from 14.31 percent recorded in March, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, as a persistent surge in fuel and diesel prices quickens the country’s headline inflation to 15.69 percent in April.

Prices of tomatoes, onions, and peppers, among others, have recorded significant increases in recent weeks, forcing many households to adjust their spending for the celebrations.

A big basket of fresh tomatoes now sells for N85,000 as against N42,000 sold in January, while a small basket sells for N47,000. A bag of pepper sells for N80,000 and a bag of onions goes for N90,000.

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Low purchases

Nigerian businesses are witnessing a gloomy Eid-el-Kabir as sales and patronage are falling sharply, owing to families cutting down on spending for the celebrations.

“Sales have been low this Eid celebration. People are not buying like previous years, and this is because of the high cost of ram,” said Bello Idris, a livestock trader at Kara Ram Market.

Idris noted that the cost of doing business is rising daily due to input surges and rising transportation costs.
“I spend a lot buying feed for the rams because people are not buying.” “Before, I would have finished selling this batch and travelled to bring another one by this time.”

“Activities around this Eid celebration have been dull, and sales have been very low,” said Bilikisu Yusuf, a trader at Ketu Market. “Nigerians are trying to cope with the constant rise in prices and survive,” she added.