As preparations intensify for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, ram traders across major markets in Ogun and Lagos states — including Ibafo, Kara, and Agege — have expressed deep concern over low patronage, attributing the development to skyrocketing prices and prevailing economic hardship.
Market visits by Business Hallmark on Wednesday revealed a sharp drop in customer turnout compared to previous years, with many traders sitting idle beside unsold livestock.
Speaking at the Ibafo livestock market, Usman Abubakar, a long-time trader, lamented the drastic decline in demand, linking it to the rising cost of transporting rams from the northern part of the country.
“If you had come here this time last year, you wouldn’t find people sitting around — we were all busy attending to buyers,” he said. “But this year, things are different. A ram that cost ₦150,000–₦180,000 last year now goes for ₦250,000–₦280,000. That’s about a 55.5% increase. The cost of buying and transporting them from the North has gone up significantly.”
Another trader, Abu Sabo, echoed the same sentiment. “Before, we used to sell out quickly, but now, we just sit and wait with barely any buyers showing up. There’s no crowd, only a few people come to ask for prices,” he said.
At the Agege abattoir market in Lagos, activity was also subdued, with fewer buyers and traders than usual. Ariyo Olarewaju, one of the sellers, attributed the slow pace of business to the steep rise in prices.
“There’s a huge price jump this year. Rams that sold for ₦350,000 last year are now going for as much as ₦500,000. The ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 difference is scaring away many customers,” he said.
Traders across the board are worried that many Muslims may forgo the traditional Sallah ram sacrifice altogether, as economic pressures continue to bite and purchasing power dwindles.
They urged the government to urgently address inflation, rising transportation costs, and insecurity in the North, which they say are making the livestock trade unsustainable.
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