Some butchers in Dutse, Jigawa State, have expressed concern over high transportation fares, which may increase the cost of slaughter and meat processing services during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
They warned that the development could negatively affect operations at slaughter slabs and mobile services.
In separate interviews on Thursday in Dutse, the butchers said the cost of animal slaughter and meat processing had risen by about 200 per cent compared to the previous festive season.
The slaughter fee for a ram now ranges from ₦5,000 upwards, while a bull costs between ₦20,000 and above, depending on size. Meat processing, including packaging and roasting, has also increased significantly.
Head Butcher, Ado Sakin-Fawa, attributed the expected rise in fees to the increasing cost of transportation.
“Transport fares to places such as Sabuwar Kasuwa, Shuwarin and Wudil have increased significantly. As a result, butchers and meat processors now spend more on movement and other operational expenses,” he said.
Sarkin-Fawa noted that butchers offering home slaughtering services may charge more to cover rising transport costs. He added that business activities had been low ahead of the festival.
Another butcher, Ahmad Mai-Nama, described the situation as economically challenging, saying charges this year would largely depend on transportation costs and the prevailing economic situation.
Similarly, dried meat processor Babannan Abdullahi and Suya operator Abdullahi Awaisu projected higher charges due to rising petrol prices and inflation. However, Awaisu expressed optimism that the economy would improve for better patronage.
