Ram dealers in Kwara attribute hike in prices to feeds, transportation cost

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Kwara

The high cost of ram and other animals acceptable to perform the religious rite of Eid-el-Kabir has been attributed to the hike in prices of feeds, diesel and insecurity in the country.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, a ram dealer, Adebayo Wahab said prices of rams range from N155,000, N160,000 and N170,000 due to cost of feeds, transportation and insecurities encountered on the way.

“This year, feed is a major factor responsible for the hike in the price. Before now, there were some feeds we get free of charge but now we queue to buy it. This always affect the prices of the rams.

“For example, five rams consumed feed worth N25,000 in five days. We breed them, we have been nursing the rams for over one year.

“There is increase in the prices. There was a ram I sold last year for N115,000. This year, I sold the same size for N140,000 because the feed is expensive,” he said.

Wahab noted that presently, the situation is not encouraging as people have not been coming to buy ram. He, however, expressed the hope that as the festival draws closer and salaries are paid, the market will improve.

Another dealer, Abdullateef Alata disclosed that a cow goes for N200,0000 while prices of rams range from N50,000, N70,000 and N250,000 depending on the size.

Alata said when compared with what they sold last year, the prices have increased drastically as rams sold for N40,000 last year, now goes for N50,000 or N60,000

According to him, transport is a major factor as transporters increase the cost of ferrying the animals from the north due to the increase in cost of diesel.

He also mentioned insecurity as another factor, noting that in some situations, trucks carrying rams would be waylaid by gunmen with the end result not often palatable.

Alata lamented that patronage is low as people continue to complaint of lack of money.

Similarly, it was gathered that a basket of tomatoes sells for N15,000, that of Rodo (pepper) goes for N45,000, while a bag of onions goes for N22,000.