Abuja livestock dealers, butchers welcome reduction in cattle prices

Livestock dealers and butchers in Abuja in the FCT have welcomed a slight reduction in cattle prices across several markets. Speaking with Abuja Metro, the dealers attributed the dip to seasonal trends, though they warned that the price drop may be temporary.

A survey conducted by Abuja Metro at the Dei-Dei, Kubwa, Dutsen Alhaji, Bwari and Wuse markets showed a decrease in the price per kilogramme of beef in response to the lower cattle costs.

Currently, a kilogramme of beef – which previously sold for between N7,000 and N7,500 – is now between N6,500 and N7,000.

Abubakar Dangaladima, a cattle dealer and butcher in Kubwa, said the development was helping operators recover from a long period of heavy losses.

He explained that the prices of cows had dropped slightly in major rural markets across the North West and North East, as well as in urban livestock hubs within Abuja.

Dangaladima noted that many farmers who used cattle for planting often rushed to sell them between November and December to avoid the risk of rustling during the dry season.

However, he acknowledged that this year’s drop was particularly significant due to a simultaneous crash in foodstuff prices.

Supporting Dangaladima’s observation, the Sarkin-Zango of Dei-Dei, Alhaji Muhammadu Sada Kusada, provided specific figures, saying a cow previously priced at N1.5m had dropped to N1.3m, while those formerly N1m were now selling for roughly N800,000.

He added: “A small cow that previously cost about N700,000 can now be bought for N500,000.”

Aminu Ibrahim, a butcher at the Dei-Dei abattoir, said the N500 reduction per kilogramm of beef was a major shift for the industry.

He said, “For instance, if you reduce the price by N500 across 200 kilogrammes, it means a 200kg cow now costs N100,000 less. This is a significant discount in this business.”

Ibrahim noted that butchers could now recover their capital more easily, whereas they frequently operated at a loss in the recent past.

However, Ibrahim cautioned that the price crash might be short-lived and could peak again at any moment.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Zubairu, another butcher at the Dei-Dei abattoir, lamented that despite the lower prices, customer patronage had not improved.

He attributed this to the ongoing economic hardship facing many Nigerians.

A visitor to the Wuse Market, Jane Micheal, admitted a slight price reduction in one kilogramme of beef, but said it was insignificant.

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