Ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir, residents of Kano are grappling with the soaring prices of rams. Last year, a ram could be purchased for N80,000, but this year the price has nearly doubled to N150,000.
Journalists who visited several markets in Kano metropolis on Thursday observed that while the markets were filled with rams, buyers were scarce. At the Dan-Agundi livestock market, medium-sized rams were priced at a minimum of N140,000, with larger ones reaching up to N300,000.
Many customers expressed their frustration over the steep prices. Musa Shanono, one of the customers haggling at the market, said, “The cost is just too high. I hope it comes down before the celebration starts.”
Another buyer, Abdulaziz Buba, at Yan-Awaki market in Unguwa-Uku, decided to wait until after the Eid prayers in hopes of lower prices. “There are other preparations to make for Eid. Buying a ram at such a high price is not necessary right now. Hopefully, the prices will drop after the Eid prayer,” he remarked.
Ram sellers attribute the price hike to several factors. Jibril Shehu, a seller at Dawanau market, explained that the rising cost of breeding livestock, transportation, and the overall economic situation in the country have all contributed to the increased prices. “We didn’t raise the prices on purpose. Everything you buy at the market is expensive now,” he said.
Bala Muhammad, a dealer at Yan-Awaki market, blamed the increase on the higher cost of transportation caused by the removal of fuel subsidies. “We’re not making much profit because transporting the animals is expensive. We also have to feed and vaccinate the rams while waiting for customers,” he explained.
Additionally, many temporary ram markets have popped up on major streets in Kano, adding to the overall supply but not necessarily reducing prices.
Sabo Aminu, another dealer at Ring Road, confirmed the significant rise in prices. “A ram that sold for N80,000 last year now goes for N150,000,” he stated.
The high prices are a concern for many in Kano as they prepare for the religious festival.
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