Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, have expressed worry over the high cost of beef, chicken and other livestock, as Christmas festivities approaches.
They expressed concerns in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
The residents described the price situation as being a setback to their celebration.
According to them, the cost of these livestock have almost doubled in markets across the city, forcing families to cut portions or go for cheaper alternatives.
Meanwhile, others said that sharing costs with extended families, groups or friends have helped to keep the festive spirit alive, in spite of the increment .
A buyer at Deidei market, Mr Titus Didam, told NAN that he had come to purchase an average sized ram for his family, but had to settle for a goat, as the of ram was too high.
He told NAN that although he could not get a ram for N140, 000, he was able to buy a goat for N90, 000.
Another buyer, Mrs Yetunde Alao, said that 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
Also, another buyer, Mr Dauda Thomas, said that he could only purchase beef in kilo measurement, as he could not afford a goat.
Thomas said that although the prices of food and some other edibles had dropped, many still struggle to get money to buy these items.
“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 urged members of the public to “cut their coat according to their sizes” adding that big spenders must also save for the new year.
Meanwhile, a livestock seller at the market, Mallam Aliyu Sani, attributed the hike to the cost of livestock feeds, transportation and increased demand of 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 at this range since sallah and very little has changed; this is because transporting the animals, feeding them and other miscellaneous 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.
Moreso, a poultry farmer, Hajiya Fatima Liman, told NAN that the high cost of livestock feeds remains a huge challenge for poultry owner, adding that this has also affected selling prices.
According to her, an average sized chicken ranges from N15, 000 to N22, 000, which price hiked since the increase in bird feeds in 2023.
She, however, noted that the demand for livestock as well as patronage, had remained consistent in spite of 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.
