By Suyudi Isah, NAN
Kano: With Eid-el-Kabir less than a week away, Kano livestock market ram sellers are worried about low patronage despite abundant supply.
Eid-el-Kabir, otherwise known as Eid-al-Adha, which originated from Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihis Salam), is a period when Muslims slaughter sacrificial animals.
Muslims not on Hajj in Makkah perform this ritual on the 10th of Zul Hijjah, the twelfth Islamic month.
Preferred sacrificial animals are healthy rams, though sheep, goats, cows, and camels are also used if they meet age and health requirements.
A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Goron Dutse and Kofar Nai’s livestock markets in Kano metropolis reveals that traders have stocked enough animals in anticipation of high patronage.
Besides rams, other livestock in stock included sheep, goats, cows, and camels of various sizes and prices, depending on the customer’s choice and budget.
The survey further shows that animal prices have risen significantly compared to last year, forcing many prospective buyers to either postpone purchases or opt for smaller animals based on their purchasing power.
At Goron Dutse, Alhaji Bashir Sule-Dantsoho, Chairman of the Animal Dealers Association in Kano State, said that, despite large quantities of animals available, patronage had remained relatively low due to the current economic situation.
He said small, medium, and large rams now sell for N150,000 to N700,000 and above.
According to him, camels currently cost N500,000 to N3 million, while cows range from N600,000 to N3 million, based on size and quality.
Sule-Dantsoho explained that the increase in livestock prices was largely driven by the high cost of animal feed and transportation from herders within and outside the state.
“Last year, a bag of animal feed sold for between N10,000 and N13,000; this year, the same product now costs about N25,000 per bag.
“Transportation fares have also increased considerably, and all these expenses ultimately affect the final selling price,” he said.
Similarly, at Kofar Nai’sa, another livestock dealer, Kabiru Mustapha, attributed the poor patronage to the current economic hardship facing many Nigerians.
Mustapha said traders sometimes spend several days without recording meaningful sales, as many residents struggle to afford basic food.
He said camel prices range from N500,000 to N2.5 million and cow prices from N400,000 to N3 million, depending on size and condition.
According to him, rams in that market currently range from N150,000 for small sizes to N550,000 and above for medium and large sizes, respectively.
The dealer explained that many buyers now prefer to delay purchases until a few days or even a day before Eid-el-Kabir, hoping prices might drop.
This, he said, had contributed to the slow pace of business in the markets.
Some prospective buyers who spoke with NAN explained the challenges they face in purchasing livestock amid the persistent price increases. They cited the strain on their household budgets and their need to carefully weigh their options, with many expressing uncertainty about whether they would be able to participate fully in the upcoming festival rites.s.
They said the development might affect buyers’ ability to fulfil the religious rite during Eid al-Kabir.
However, they expressed optimism that prices could drop slightly as the festive period draws nearer and competition among traders intensified.
