Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have expressed worry over the high cost of beef, chicken, and other livestock as Christmas festivities approach.
They expressed concerns in separate interviews with journalists on Sunday in Abuja, describing the price situation as a setback to their celebration.
According to them, the prices of this livestock have almost doubled across the city’s markets, forcing families to cut portions or switch to cheaper alternatives.
Meanwhile, others said that sharing costs with extended families, groups, or friends has helped keep the festive spirit alive despite the increase.
A consumer at Deidei market, Titus Didam, told journalists that he had come to purchase an average-sized ram for his family but had to settle for a goat because the price of a ram was too high.
He said that although he could not get a ram for N140,000, he was able to buy a goat for N90,000.
Another buyer, Yetunde Alao, said she came to the market with some friends to share a cow, as this was a cheaper alternative.
”This is better for me, and I am sure, for my friends too, because an average-sized chicken is still within the range of N20,000, and no matter how many I buy, it will not be enough for my family,” she said.
Another consumer, Dauda Thomas, said he could only purchase beef by the kilo, as he could not afford a goat.
Mr Thomas said that although the prices of food and other essentials had dropped, many still struggle to afford them.
“It is still difficult for some households to even buy meat per kilo, which is now N7,000, talk more of a chicken or a goat,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a livestock seller at the market, Aliyu Sani, attributed the hike to rising feed and transportation costs and increased demand for the product.
He, however, noted that the price of a kilo of beef has remained at N7,000, adding that the price of an average-sized goat is still within the range of N55,000 to N70,000.
“These prices have remained in this range since Sallah, and very little has changed; this is because transporting the animals, feeding them, and other miscellaneous costs may have now affected their prices.
“Patronage is still high, even though people have now resorted to group buying and very few come to buy individually, while others just buy in portions, according to their pockets,” he said.
A poultry farmer, Fatima Liman, told journalists that the high cost of livestock feed remains a huge challenge for poultry owners, adding that this has also affected selling prices.
According to her, an average-sized chicken ranges from N15,000 to N22,000, a price hike since the increase in bird feed prices in 2023.
She, however, noted that demand for livestock as well as patronage had remained consistent despite the price hike.
“It is Christmas; Nigerians have a good spirit for celebrations. We will always find a way no matter the difficulty, so all is well,” she said.
(NAN)