As Sallah draws closer, the prices of rams and other animals for slaughter (layya) have soared in major animal markets across Kano.
SolaceBase reports that rams which sold for between N250,000 and N350,000 last year are now going for N700,000, leading to a sharp decline in buyers.
This development has sparked concern among many who say the prices are beyond reach and fear that the number of slaughters this year may decline significantly.
In an interview with SolaceBase, the chairman of the Tudun Wada animal market in Nassarawa Local Government, Auwal Muhammad, attributed the price hike to the devaluation of the naira and the increasing cost of animal feed.
“A ram that used to sell for N250,000 or N300,000 now sell for N700,000,” he lamented, adding, “The mudu of animal feed, which was N3,000 last year, is now N7,000, doubling the cost and driving prices up.”
Muhammad noted that patronage in the market has dropped drastically as Sallah approaches. “As you can see, it’s only us in the market. The buyers vanish when they hear the price,” he said.
Another seller, Ahmad Mairago, also linked the steep rise in prices to the high cost of animal feed.
He explained that, “If you’re spending N2,500 or N3,000 daily on your ram, by the end of it you’ve spent N300,000. Sometimes you might not make any profit at all after all the expenses.”
Mairago urged people to still consider buying rams for slaughtering, emphasizing that it is an act of worship.
Meanwhile, Idris Ibrahim, a prospective buyer, said he was shocked when he heard about the new prices.
“It’s ridiculous and exorbitant. This year’s slaughtering is only for those who can afford it. But as Muslims, we shouldn’t grumble,” he said.
Ibrahim added that even smaller rams, which sold for N60,000 last year, are now going for N110,000.
Despite the concerns, Ibrahim encouraged people to look beyond the prices, stressing that the spiritual significance of the sacrifice should not be overlooked.
Source: Solace Base