With only five days left until the Eid-El-Kabir festival, ram sellers in Badagry, Lagos State, are expressing concerns over low sales, attributing the downturn to the current economic situation.
A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to the Alaba, Ajibade, and Agbalata ram markets revealed varying prices for the rams.
At the Alaba ram market, a big ram is sold for N750,000, a medium-sized ram for between N350,000 and N400,000, and a small ram for between N150,000 and N200,000.
Meanwhile, at the Agbalata ram market, prices range from N400,000 to N450,000 for a big ram, N300,000 to N250,000 for a fairly big ram, and N120,000 to N150,000 for a small ram.
Alhaji Abdul-Salam Hassan, a ram seller at Alaba Market, stated that he spent N1.5 million transporting his rams from Sokoto State, which has affected the selling price.
“I came to Alaba Market with 300 rams since June 5, and as of today, I have not sold up to ten rams. Buyers inquire about the prices but often do not return,” he said.
Hassan attributed the high prices to the removal of the fuel subsidy, which has led to increased transportation costs.
Similarly, Belawu Ajadi at Ajibade ram market in Aradagun noted the high cost of feeding and transporting the rams as factors contributing to the high prices.
He mentioned that sales have been significantly lower compared to last year.
“In 2023, I had sold over 50 rams by this time, but now I have just sold 10. The economic hardships in the country have affected sales this year,” he said.
Buyers are also feeling the pinch of the increased prices. Yusuf Ajadi, a buyer at Alaba Market, lamented the doubling of prices compared to last year.
“In 2023, I bought two rams for N280,000. This year, I bought one medium-sized ram for N400,000 and cannot afford to buy two,” he said.
Another buyer, Alhaji Taoreed Ajape, who came from Ikoga, Badagry, expressed his shock at the prices.
“The size of the ram I bought for N100,000 last year is now N220,000. I cannot afford to buy a ram for my mother now; I will have to look for money and come back before Sunday,” he said.