Ram dealers lament low patronage, short supply as Sallah approaches

With just days to the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir, ram dealers at the Mai’adua International Livestock Market in Katsina State have expressed concerns over low patronage and limited animal supply, blaming the situation on a trade restriction imposed by neighbouring Niger Republic.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the market on Sunday reports that the traders are battling with reduced numbers of animals, despite efforts by the Nigerian government to maintain smooth trade relations with Niger. This comes even as President Bola Tinubu recently reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the ongoing multi-billion-dollar Kano-Jigawa-Katsina-Maradi rail project, expected to be completed in 2026.

At the market, prices of livestock have seen slight adjustments. A large ram that cost ₦1.7 million a week ago now sells for ₦1.2 million, while medium-sized rams that previously sold for ₦700,000 have dropped slightly. Small rams still start at ₦100,000.

Bashir Hassan, a livestock dealer from Niger Republic, attributed the scarcity to a government directive barring the export of animals including camels, cows, rams and goats to Nigeria. He explained that the restriction followed the deadly 2024 floods that swept through regions like Niamey, Maradi and Tawa, killing a significant number of livestock and leaving authorities fearful of shortages during this year’s Eid celebrations.

“The military authorities ordered security operatives and traditional leaders to seize any livestock being moved across the border,” Hassan said, adding that many animals have already been confiscated from traders attempting to cross into Nigeria.

Although the restrictions have affected trade volumes, patronage has also been lower compared to the same period last year.

Another dealer, Alhaji Muazu Maifaru, noted that while the ban hit traders from Niger Republic harder, Nigeria’s livestock farmers still have the capacity to meet local demand, despite ongoing security challenges in some parts of the country.

“Our own farmers have large farms that can supply enough rams for the festive season,” Maifaru said. He added that Nigeria continues to export products like maize, pepper, mango and rice to Niger Republic, urging the military authorities in Niamey to reconsider policies that harm regional trade relations.

“You see Mangal rice and other Nigerian products everywhere in Niger. Policies like this will only strain long-standing trade ties between the two countries,” he warned.