Price Of Rams Soars Amid Low Patronage

As the Eid-el-Kabir
celebrations, is around the corner, the price of rams has increased, amidst relatively low patronage, The Tide source reports.
A survey of some major ram markets conducted in Minna showed more than 30 per cent jump in price.
The Secretary of the Turaku Market, Malam Mohammed Garkuwa, told newsmen that the prices ranged from N30,000 to N120, 000, depending on their sizes.
The big ones go for N120,000; the average ones cost between N50,000 and N80,000, while the small rams cost between N30, 000 and N40, 000.
“But these prices can go higher in the coming days,‘’ Garkuwa said.
He said the exorbitant prices this year could be attributed to security challenges in some parts of the country as well as increase in cost of transportation and rearing of animals.
A customer, Mr Ibrahim Dahiru decried the high cost of the rams.
“The prices of rams this year are high compared to that of last Sallah, when you could get a big ram at N55, 000. Right now, I have to go back home and get more money because what I have is not enough to get me the size of ram I want. This is just too much,‘’ he said
A ram seller, Mr Musa Kano, said the current low patronage could be due to the economic situation in the country.
He expressed optimism of improved sales in the days ahead, adding that most ram sellers had not made much sales compared to what they realised during the last Sallah.
Meanwhile, many ram markets are springing up along the road.
The ram markets are causing traffic gridlock on most of the major highways in Minna, with many commuters having difficult times finding their way through.