Despite the declining prices of food staples like rice, beans and yam, many households are faced with difficult decisions over animal options for protein intake this Christmas and New Year season.

Although consumers are pleased with the decline in food prices, our correspondents across the nation report that many families still find it costly to buy poultry, goats, cows and other livestock products for this Christmas.

Reports have also shown that patronage in many markets is low, while it is strong in a few areas.

Food prices have dropped by more than 50 per cent since April this year compared to last year, but meat prices have stayed relatively high.

y families are under pressure to find an alternative because they believe that meat is a necessary component of the Christmas dinner.

In Abuja, some families expressed worry over the high cost of beef, chicken and other livestock. The residents described the price situation as

being a setback to their celebration.

According to them, the prices of these livestock have almost doubled in markets across the city, forcing families to cut portions or go for cheaper alternatives.

Meanwhile, others said that sharing costs with extended families, groups or friends had helped to keep the festive spirit alive despite the increment.

A buyer at the Deidei Market, Mr. Titus Didam, said he came to buy an average size ram for his family but had to settle for a goat as the price of ram was too high.

He explained that although he could not get a ram for N140,000, he was able to buy a goat for N90,000.

Another buyer, Mrs Yetunde Alao, said she came to the market with some friends to share a cow: “This is better for me, and I am sure for my friends too, because an average size chicken is still within the range of N20,000, and no matter how many I buy, it will not be enough for my family.”

Another buyer, Mr. Dauda Thomas, said he could only buy beef in kilo measurement as he could not afford a goat.

Thomas said that although the prices of food and some other edibles had dropped, many still struggled to get money to buy the items.

He said, “It is still difficult for some households to even buy meat per kilo, which is now N7,000, talk more of a chicken or a goat.”

In Edo, our reporter who visited the market observed that the prices of items were relatively stable compared to the previous Christmas, with a bag of rice sold between N50,000 and N80,000, depending on the brand.

A resident, Mrs. Edosa Ivie, who spoke on the development, said things were better this year compared to the previous one.

She said, “I bought a bag of rice for N60,000. That same bag was sold for N80,000 last year. It is oil and meat that are still on the high side.”

At the Ikooba Hill Market, the price of chicken was on the high side as it was sold for between N25,000 and N40,000.

A chicken seller, Mrs Osahon, said the price of chicken was on the high side as a result of the high cost of feed.

While noting that the prices of rice, beans and garri were cheap compared to last year, she said the prices of tomatoes, onions, Maggi, among others, had increased.

Reports from Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, had it that a measure of locally processed rice was sold at the rate of N1,300 to N1,400.

On the other hand, a medium-size goat was sold at the rate of N45,000 while a big cow was sold at the rate of N600,000 to N700,000,

However, findings revealed that the price of chicken was still unaffordable for many families.

Residents said foodstuffs, cows and goats were much cheaper this festive period compared to last year.

Madam Tani Jacob said that last year at this period, a measure of locally processed rice was sold at the rate of N2,500 per measure while a medium-size goat was sold between N54,000 and N60,000.

She said the price of vegetables was cheaper compared to last year but that the prices of groundnut oil and palm oil were high this period compared to last year.

Mr James Bala, a civil servant, told our reporter that the price of a cow was cheaper this season compared to last year.

He said the same size of cow he and his colleagues contributed money to buy at the rate of N850,000 last Christmas now cost them only N600,000.

He explained that prices of foodstuff, cows, goats and vegetables were cheaper this Christmas compared to last year, but that there was no money.

He said despite the fact that the prices of essential items were lower this season, people lacked the financial power to make adequate purchases for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Traders interviewed in the Jalingo Main Market complained of low patronage.

Lawal Suleiman, a trader in the market, said that last year on the eve of Christmas traders witnessed good patronage, but that this period there was low patronage.

At the Gunu Market on Tuesday, traders told our correspondent that prices of foodstuffs remained low and affordable.

One of the traders, Mohammed Nasiru Garba, told Daily Trust that a bag of maize was N24,000; guinea corn N15, 000 while a bag of rice went for N66,000 and N1,100 per measure.

In Jos, investigation by Daily Trust at the popular main market revealed that the prices of food items, including rice, beans and spaghetti had dropped, with the traders lamenting that many buyers were not coming to the market, especially during the festive season when they were expected to troop in to buy items for the festival.

Idris Musa, a trader said, “There aren’t enough people buying compared to previous seasons. There aren’t many buyers. Probably they don’t have money with them.”

In livestock markets in Bukuru, Jos South LGA, of Plateau State, the price of cattle, the general animal for the festive season, dropped dramatically, with many traders complaining about the development.

Ibrahim Sani, a dealer in the market, said, “There’s no market, and customers aren’t patronising the product. A cow that is supposed to be sold for N1m is now sold between N600,000 and N700,000. That of N600,000 is now priced at N350,000. It’s bad because you spent your money to feed the cattle for a period of time and now the price isn’t appreciating.”

The same trend was observed with goats and chickens. A goat that was selling for N50,000 was now going for N25,000 to N30,000. Chickens that were priced at N15,000 were now selling for N10,000 to N8,000.

As people made last-minute purchases for this year’s Christmas and holiday season celebration in Kano, our correspondent noted high patronage for rice and chicken vendors, with prices of basic food items remaining relatively low compared to last year.

Ali Musa, the proprietor of Mumtaz Products, said a kilogramme of chicken cost between N4,500 and N4,800 at the Tarauni Market.

A medium-size turkey cost N25,000, while a larger one cost between N35,000 and N40,000, Jamilu Lawan Yakubu, a live bird vendor told Daily Trust.

He added that Guinea fowl was sold at between N7,000 and N10,000, while the local breed of chicken was sold at between N4,000 and N8,000.

A shop owner, Mallam Musa Auwalu, said 50kg of Gerewa and Bua rice were selling at N52,000 while the foreign one was sold at N66,000. The price of 5 litres of cooking oil was N17,000 while a carton of local and foreign noodles was N13,000 and N14,000 respectively.

A basket of tomatoes sold for N2,000, pepper cost N2,500 and onion cost N2,000, according to vegetable vendors. (Daily Trust)