Eid-el-Kabir – Traders, Buyers Lament As Prices Of Rams Soar

Ahead of the forthcoming Eid-el Kabir celebration, prices of rams usually used for sacrifice during the annual festival have skyrocketed beyond the reach of many celebrants.

At the Dedei ram market, a big ram sells for between N750,000 to N900,000, and medium-sized rams N400,000 to N650,000, while the smaller ones go for between N200,000 to N300,000.

The situation is however slightly different at the Gwagwalada cattle market, where big rams are being sold between N550,000 to N700,000, medium-sized rams between N450,000 to N300,000 while the smaller ones are going for between N150,000 to 2000,000.

The traders apparently frustrated with the situation lamented that the turnout of customers is very low compared to previous years.

A seller, Mallam Ibrahim Ali at the temporary ram market along Kubwa Expressway, said last year he sold over 70 rams, but this year, he sold not up to twenty.

He, however, said that he is still optimistic that sales will pick up as many people will buy even on the festive day.

“Customers turnout is low compared to last year. By this time other years, I had sold over 70 rams; this year, I’ve sold less than twenty but I believe they will still come around despite the economic downturn.”

The buyers too are not left out of the heat as one of them, Mohammed Usman, recalled how he bought two large rams for N 700,000 last year, while the same size is being sold for N750,000 and above this year.

Similarly, Alhaji Umar Idris expressed shock, saying he came prepared to buy three rams but the N500,000 could only purchase one.

They blamed the situation to the removal of fuel subsidy which they said has significantly increased transportation costs and the source of livelihood.

By Georgina Humphrey