Eid el-Kabir Ram Prices Soar to ₦1 Million as Insecurity, Border Closure Hit Supply

Eid el-Kabir Ram Prices Soar to ₦1 Million as Insecurity, Border Closure Hit Supply

As the Eid el-Kabir celebration approaches, ram prices have skyrocketed across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with some sellers attributing the surge to insecurity and reduced supply from the Northwest and neighboring countries.

A market survey conducted in Abuja on Wednesday revealed that many livestock traders are struggling to meet demand due to border closures and limited local sources.

At the Dei-Dei livestock market, Malam Ahmed Mai-Samari noted a significant drop in supply compared to 2024, especially from cross-border sources.

“You know we mostly get these animals from Niger and other nearby countries that share borders with us in the North, especially the moderately sized ones.

Now, we have to rely solely on local supply from household livestock farmers, which is limited.

Many traders have even left the business for more profitable ventures,” he said.

Mai-Samari also noted that the cost of transportation and inflation have doubled the prices compared to last year.

“A ram that sold for N200,000 in 2024 now goes for N400,000. Only the rich can afford it now.

Prices vary depending on size: smaller rams cost between N150,000 and N190,000, medium ones go for N200,000 to N250,000, while large rams range from N350,000 to as much as N1 million,” he explained.

In Dutse, another livestock dealer, Mr. Sanusi Abdullahi, said prices were now between ₦200,000 and ₦700,000. He blamed the difficulty in sourcing rams locally on political tensions and closed access routes from Niger Republic.

“I and my boys had to go from village to village across different states, gather the rams, and transport them here. It hasn’t been easy,” he said.

Despite the efforts, Abdullahi said he had sold only seven out of 120 rams in two days but remained hopeful that sales would increase closer to Sallah.

Over in Bwari, roadside trader Malam Mustapha Aminu, known as “Biggie,” echoed similar frustrations.

“Even though the cheapest ram at my stand goes for N100,000, only a few people have bought so far. This time last year, I had sold nearly all my stock.

Things were tough then too, but this year is worse. Still, we hope sales will pick up closer to Sallah,” he said.

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With inflation biting harder, many potential buyers are turning to more affordable options. A buyer, Mr. Hameed Raji, shared that he opted for a goat priced at ₦70,000 instead of a ram.

Likewise, Mrs. Rukayya Abdullahi said she and her husband decided to slaughter three large chickens at ₦20,000 each.

“This will not only serve our visitors but also save us from borrowing money to buy a ram.

By Allah’s grace, we hope to afford a ram next year,” she said.

Eid el-Kabir, a key Muslim festival, is marked globally by the ritual slaughtering of rams, symbolizing sacrifice and community.