Ram sellers decry low patronage in Abuja, Kano, others

As Muslim faithful across Nigeria make last minute purchase of rams for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, sellers of rams have lamented low patronage, blaming the current economic situation for the poor sales.

A check at Kugbo, an Abuja suburb on Sunday indicated large number of the rams may wait for next year’s Sallah as the sellers and buyers are failing to reach a consensus on prices.

According to Idris Hakuri, a popular rams seller at Kugbo cattle market, a ram which sold for N130,000 last year, is being priced for N80,000.00, while that of N50,000.00 last year is being priced for N30,000.00.

Mr. James Oche observed that big rams at the price of N120-N130,000 can only be afforded by top politicians, adding that ” Allah did not make it mandatory that will warrant any one to steal or beg rather they can wait till the economy is better again”.

According to reports nationwide, some cattle dealers in Kano who had stocked domestic animals such as goats, rams and cows for sale ahead of Sallah, are complaining of low patronage.

NAN reports that sellers in Kano State lamented that their hopes for brisk business had been dashed as a result of the poor state of the nation’s economy.

Ali Sani, a dealer at Yan- awaki‎ market in Kumbotso Local Government Area, said they had been forced by the situation to be selling some of the rams on credit due to slow pace of business.

Another livestock seller, Haladu Yusuf, in Gama cattle market of Nasarawa Local Government area in Kano, lamented the situation and attributed the development to non-payment of salaries by many employers, resulting in low purchasing power of potential customers

He said although similar development was experienced the previous years, that of 2018 is the worst.

A livestock dealer in Tarauni cattle market, Sani Ali, also said business was not moving as expected. He said the biggest ram cost about N110,000 while the smallest was N30,000.

Ali, however, said that the prices of the animals had increased by an average of 40 to 80 per cent compared with what obtained last year, adding that the same size of ram, which now sells for N100,000, was sold for about N70,000 last year.

Saidu Bako, a dealer, also said that it might not be possible to get huge returns from the business this year due to low sales, but was hopeful that the situation might change.

“People are coming to buy rams and goats; some came in groups and bought cows to be shared among themselves.

“By this time last year, I had sold about over 45 rams few days to Sallah, but as I am talking to you now, I have only sold 15,” he lamented.

Tajudeen Sule, buyer at Yan-awaki cattle market, said he was at the market for the second day but could not afford the price.

“I was here on Saturday but I cannot buy because the same size I bought last year at N30,000 is being sold for N40,000. I am here today prepared to see that I get one,” he said.

‎Another buyer, Garba Dauda, expressed hope that the prices would fall when more rams flooded the markets between today and tomorrow.

He said that medium and big rams now sold at higher prices when compared to last year.

Meanwhile, prices of chicken, fruits, beans, cooking oil, rice and perishable items did not record any significant increase.

NAN observed also that chicken sellers were, however, making brisk sales as many people now go for it.

Several rams were seen being dragged about in Kano metropolis by sellers, who were also seeking potential buyers.

Eid- el-Kabir is a festival celebrated annually by Muslims worldwide, with the offering of rams as sacrifice.