Two days to sallah, patronage still low at ram markets

Encomium.ng’s checks at few of the markets on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, revealed that very few Muslims are still bidding for the widely accepted animal for the annual sacrifice.

However, our checks further revealed that more rams arrived Lagos yesterday (Tuesday, August 29, 2017 and were distributed to various markets in the state. This has incidentally informed a slight downward review in the prices of the animals. But instead of increase in the demand as as the festival is just two days away, very few people are still capable of backing up their willingness with cash.

One of the traders at Abattoir, Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos, Mallam Ahmad Idris told encomium.ng this morning that most of the new rams  are of moderate prices so that more muslims can afford them. He also added that most of the giant rams are yet to be purchased because of the prices which range from N85,000 to N180,000 depending on the bargaining power of the intending buyers.

“There’s no much difference in patronage yet, unlike last year. Now, sallah is Friday, September 1, 2017, and I am yet to sell up to 10% of my rams. And I am sure that’s how it is in every other market now. We’re just keeping our hope in Allah this year because we can’t afford to auction the animals as most of us did last year. Rams are too expensive this year. It’s just that they’re most favoured and suitable for the annual sacrifice. That’s why we still decided to go on with the trade. If not, most of us would have withdrawn from selling rams  this year. For instance, most of the big rams are yet to get buyers, instead people are opting for cows which are of equivalent prices.

“I know most people are waiting till Thursday evening or Friday morning to buy theirs because they belief it’s a tradition that prices will be forced down so as not to run at a total loss. But the case may not be the same this year. That’s more reason we brought in new rams with moderate prices ranging from N30,000 to N55,000. Only very few are above N80,000. We’re still expecting that demand will rise this evening because some Muslims will love to travel home with Sallah rams and most people will start travelling tomorrow, Thursday, August 31, 2017. I believe, in sha Allah, things will improve before Friday.”