Kwara Livestock Traders Report Slow Sales Ahead of Eid-el-Kab

Livestock traders in Kwara have raised concerns over low sales ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, blaming insecurity and economic hardship for the situation.

Speaking in Ilorin, some traders said patronage has remained low despite the Sallah festival being close.

The Chief Imam of the Basirimi Oluwa Livestock Traders Association, Alhaji Kamaludeen Gatta-Harmony, said insecurity and banditry have disrupted the movement and supply of livestock from northern parts of the country.

He said many traders are unable to travel to buy animals because of safety concerns. He also appealed to government authorities to pay workers’ salaries early to improve people’s spending power.

According to him, rams currently sell between 100 thousand naira and two million naira, while cows range from 400 thousand to one million naira. Goats sell for between 65 thousand and 250 thousand naira, while camels cost up to five million naira.

At Mandate Market in Ilorin, traders also linked the increase in prices to high transportation costs and the rising cost of doing business.

A livestock dealer, Alhaji Jibril Mohammed, said transporting animals from northern Nigeria now costs about 40 thousand naira, adding that livestock prices have nearly doubled compared to last year.

Meanwhile, some residents expressed hope that salaries would be paid before the festival to enable them buy rams and other items needed for the celebration.