Eid-el-Kabir: Soaring Ram Prices Spark Concern in Jimeta as Sallah Approaches

Eid-el-Kabir: Soaring Ram Prices Spark Concern in Jimeta as Sallah Approaches

As Muslims across Nigeria prepare for the Eid-el-Kabir celebratio, the annual tradition of purchasing sacrificial rams is being tested by harsh economic realities. At the busy By-Pass Ram Market in Jimeta, Adamawa State, many families are expressing deep concern over the sharp rise in ram prices, with sellers attributing the surge to rising animal feed costs, transportation challenges, and insecurity disrupting livestock supply chains.

With just days to the celebration, the usually vibrant market is witnessing noticeably lower patronage. Traders say the cost of rams has climbed significantly compared to last year, leaving many buyers struggling to meet the religious obligation.

Alhaji Muhammadu Yellow Sarki Tike, a ram seller at the market, explained that prices now range from ₦80,000 to as high as ₦1,000,000, depending on the size and breed of the animal. “The increase is not our making. Everything from feeding the animals to bringing them to the market has become more expensive,” he said.

However, amidst the gloom, some buyers see a different picture. Abdullahi Dauda, a prospective buyer at the market, claimed the prices are quite affordable compared to last year. He called on fellow Muslim faithful to disregard rumours of excessively high costs and visit the market themselves. “There are affordable rams ranging from ₦100,000 and above. People should come and see for themselves,” he urged.

Offering a contrasting market perspective, another seller, simply identified as Abdullahi, attributed the high prices not to scarcity, but to a peculiar situation of high supply and less demand, a dynamic that is nonetheless keeping prices elevated.

Economic experts have weighed in, stating that the situation reflects the broader national economic strain. Inflation and the rising cost of food items, they note, have hit nearly every sector, including livestock farming. The skyrocketing prices of feed ingredients such as maize and soybeans have forced herders and traders to transfer the burden to consumers.

Despite the slow start and palpable financial strain on households, traders at the By-Pass Market remain hopeful that sales will pick up as the celebration draws closer. For many residents, however, this year’s Sallah may come with tougher financial choices, as the cost of fulfilling the age-long tradition continues to rise.