With Sallah festivities fast approaching, ram sellers nationwide are facing a challenging trend of low patronage. Factors such as economic difficulties, insecurity, and high transportation costs from northern Nigeria are impacting the ram market.
Prices of rams have surged ahead of the upcoming celebration, with big rams selling between N500,000 to N700,000 in some areas. Insecurity in the North has disrupted the supply chain, forcing sellers to source rams from Mali, contributing to the high prices.
The effects of insurgents and banditry are evident as the smallest ram now costs N300,000 in some places, a steep increase from previous years. Buyers are feeling the pinch, with some expressing reluctance to purchase due to the inflated costs.
The market situation is dire, with sellers and buyers alike feeling the strain of the current economic challenges. This Sallah season presents a unique set of difficulties for both sellers and buyers in the ram market.