Festive rush sends livestock prices soaring in Ondo markets

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Livestock prices recorded a sharp upswing in Ikare-Akoko and Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, on Thursday as residents intensified shopping activities ahead of Christmas celebrations.

Market observations at Osele Market in Ikare and Akungba Market showed that a full-grown chicken was sold for about ₦35,000, while buyers paid between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 for a mature goat, largely influenced by size and supply.

The rising cost forced many families to rethink their Christmas menus, with several opting for beef, which traders described as a cheaper alternative during the festive period.

Traders linked the spike in goat prices to restrictions on goat domestication, explaining that the policy had reduced available stock at a time when demand traditionally peaks.

In the poultry market, sellers attributed the development to the high cost of feed and other overhead expenses, which they said continued to push up production costs.

A livestock trader, Bukola Aduloju, said that despite the hike, buyers continued to visit the market, noting that food items usually record increased patronage during celebrations.

“Residents still come to the market on Christmas Day because some were unable to get money the previous day,” she said, while urging the government to find lasting solutions to the rising cost of goods and services.

Reacting to the development, an Anglican priest, Reverend Emmanuel Olawole of St Paul’s Church, Ikare-Akoko, advised that the situation should encourage restraint and reflection during the Yuletide.

“Times like this call for sober reflection. Christmas should not be about excessive spending but about love, peace, and sharing,” Olawole said. He also appealed to those with means and relevant authorities to extend support to struggling families.

“The essence of Christmas is lost if many families are unable to celebrate because of hardship,” he added.