Eid-el-Kabir: ‘We Can No Longer Afford Sacrifice’ Residents Lament as Sacrificial Animal Prices Soar by 300% .

Ram prices jump from N130,000 to N500,000; low-income earners resort to “meat-sharing” and poultry.

••Livestock traders blame skyrocketing cost of animal feed for the  price surge

Residents of Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, have expressed deep concern over the skyrocketing prices of rams and other sacrificial animals as the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations approach.

A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Dutse cattle market revealed that livestock prices have surged by over 300 percent compared to the previous season. The sharp increase has left many residents fearing they may be unable to perform the traditional sacrifice required for the festivities.

Currently, a large ram, which previously sold for N130,000, now commands a price of N500,000. Similarly, the price of a well-bred bull has jumped from N400,000 to a staggering N1 million.

Traders at the market attributed the unprecedented hike to the soaring cost of animal husbandry. Malam Musa Ayuba, a livestock dealer, explained that rearing animals has become a high-cost venture due to the rising price of feeds and veterinary medication.

“Animal rearing is no longer easy. The cost of feed is extremely high, and that is what is reflecting in the livestock prices we see today,” Ayuba said.

The financial strain is being felt heavily by household heads. Alhaji Abubakar Jamilu, a local resident, lamented that the sacrifice has become a luxury beyond the reach of the average family. “Animals are simply too costly now. Many people who used to slaughter rams can no longer afford to do so,” he noted.

To cope with the economic pressure, some residents are adopting alternative measures. Umar Abdu described the situation as “unbearable,” noting that the traditional practice of a single household purchasing a ram is being replaced by communal efforts.

Nuhu Iliyasu, a civil servant, said he has opted to join a contribution group to remain part of the religious celebration. “I cannot afford a ram on my own. I have joined a group of people to buy a cow and share the meat. This is the only option left for low-income earners,” he said.

For others, even a shared cow is out of reach. Ishak Ibrahim told NAN that he intends to scale down significantly. “I will buy chickens to celebrate the season with my family. The most important thing is to be in a good mood despite the hardship,” he said.