Eid ram market Katsina sees low sales, rising concerns over poor supply and reduced demand.
A Celebration Overshadowed by Shortages
In the heart of Katsina State, just days before Eid-el-Kabir, the Eid ram market Katsina scene tells a different story from previous years.
At the usually vibrant Mai’adua International Livestock Market, ram dealers are grappling with a grim reality: low patronage and shrinking supply.
As buyers trickle in with weary expressions and cautious wallets, traders sit beside unsold rams some marked down, others tied to ropes, chewing hay as time runs out.
Despite the sacredness of Eid and its traditions, something vital is missing: the confidence of a bustling economy and an open border.
Eid Ram Market Katsina Hit by Cross-Border Bans
The dip in activity within the Eid ram market Katsina is largely blamed on a livestock export ban imposed by the Niger Republic’s military authorities.
According to Bashir Hassan, a ram dealer from Niger, the directive prohibits the movement of animals cows, rams, camels, and goats out of the country.
“We are not allowed to cross into Nigeria with any animals,” Hassan lamented.
“They say the floods of 2024 killed many herds, so now the fear is they won’t have enough for their own Eid.”
The enforcement is strict. Security agents at the border military, police, immigration, and even traditional rulers have reportedly seized animals from those attempting to defy the order.
This has resulted in a noticeable drop in supply, adding pressure to an already fragile market.
Slumping Demand Despite Animal Shortage
Interestingly, even with limited supply, prices in the Eid ram market Katsina have fallen.
A ram that cost ₦1.7 million just a week ago now goes for ₦1.2 million. Medium-sized rams dropped from ₦700,000 to around ₦600,000, while smaller rams hover near ₦100,000.
The reason is simple: Nigerians are buying less.
“We have the animals, but buyers are few,” said Alhaji Muazu Maifaru, another trader.
“It’s not just the border issues it’s the economy. People are choosing food over rams this year.”
Insecurity, inflation, and reduced disposable income have drastically altered consumer behavior. Many are prioritizing basic needs and household expenses over traditional sacrifices.
Border Trade Frozen, Dealers in Distress
For years, the Eid ram market Katsina has depended on livestock sourced from Niger Republic. With the recent ban, Nigerian traders who rely on cross-border purchases have been hit hardest.
“They took rams from us at the border,” Bashir Hassan explained. “Some of us borrowed money to buy them. Now we’ll go home with losses.”
On the flip side, Maifaru believes Nigeria has enough farms and livestock to support domestic demand.
“It’s the people from Niger that are most affected. Nigeria can still export things like maize and rice,” he said. “In fact, our Mangal rice is everywhere in their markets.”
Still, he warned that such unilateral policies harm both sides of the trade. “We need cooperation. If they block trade, everyone suffers.”
Rail Project: A Future Solution?
President Bola Tinubu recently highlighted a new cross-border rail project connecting Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, and Maradi in Niger Republic.
Costing billions and set for completion in 2026, the initiative aims to revitalize trade between the two nations.
But traders at the Eid ram market Katsina aren’t holding their breath. “That rail won’t help us this year,” Maifaru said plainly. “The rams are needed now, not in 2026.”
While infrastructure may provide long-term relief, the immediate concerns are supply, affordability, and policy alignment.
Without action on those fronts, market stability remains uncertain.
The Cultural and Spiritual Cost
For many Nigerian Muslims, Eid-el-Kabir is incomplete without a ram sacrifice. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering obedience to God.
On that day, believers offer animals, share meat with the needy, and celebrate unity in faith.
But with prices high and purchasing power low, families like that of Hajiya Rabi are reconsidering their priorities.
“Last year we had a ram. This year, maybe not. Everything is expensive,” she said. “But we’ll still pray and celebrate with what we have.”
For millions, faith will fill the gap where livestock cannot.
Buyers Speak: “It’s Not Just the Rams”
In conversations around the Eid ram market Katsina, many buyers echo the same message: the struggle is beyond the price of rams it’s about survival.
“I earn the same salary, but pay more for food, transport, even school fees,” said Musa Garba, a civil servant from Daura. “How do I also buy a ram? It’s painful, but we’ll manage.”
His sentiment reflects a broader economic pinch felt across the region. From Sokoto to Kano, similar markets are seeing reduced foot traffic.
It’s a pattern rooted in inflation, job losses, and widespread insecurity.
Dealers Adapt with Desperation
Facing poor sales, dealers are resorting to drastic measures slashing prices, combining stock, or partnering with peers to recoup investment.
Others are considering temporary exits from the trade.
“If I don’t sell this week, I may never return to this business,” one young trader confided.
“Feeding rams for months, transporting them, only to see them unsold? It’s heartbreaking.”
The Eid ram market Katsina, once a dependable goldmine during festive seasons, is now a gamble one many aren’t willing to take again.
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What Can Be Done?
Analysts say Nigeria must do more than wait for rail lines. The government should:
Engage diplomatically with Niger Republic to lift the livestock ban temporarily for religious seasons.
Support local livestock farmers with feed subsidies and security guarantees.
Encourage cooperative markets across the north to stabilize prices and improve access.
“If these steps are not taken,” warned Professor Shehu Sadiq of Ahmadu Bello University, “seasonal food and animal markets will collapse under their own weight.”
Looking Ahead: A Time for Reflection
As the Eid ram market Katsina prepares for its final push before Eid, the air is filled with more uncertainty than excitement.
Yet, in typical Nigerian fashion, hope refuses to die.
“Even if I don’t sell all my rams,” said Hassan, “I believe next year will be better. We’ve seen harder times.”
Whether or not that hope materializes depends largely on the decisions of policymakers, the resilience of the market, and the spirit of the people.
A Test of Faith and Fortitude
The tale of the Eid ram market Katsina in 2025 is more than just economics.
It reflects how border control, disaster recovery, and market dynamics converge to shape the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerians.
As citizens navigate this year’s Eid amid rising costs and vanishing livestock, they’re also navigating resilience, sacrifice, and the essence of faith.
How is your community preparing for this year’s Eid celebration?
Drop your comments or photos below let’s share the experience.
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