As the Eid-el-Kabir celebration approaches, ram sellers at the Mai’adua International Livestock Market in Katsina State are complaining about low sales despite a shortage of animals.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the market on Sunday reports that traders blame the situation on a livestock export ban by the Niger Republic’s military authorities. This is happening even as the Nigerian government works to strengthen trade ties, including a major rail project linking Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, and Maradi in Niger Republic. President Bola Tinubu recently announced during a visit to Katsina that the project will be completed by 2026.

Meanwhile, prices of rams have dropped. A large ram that cost ₦1.7 million last week now sells for ₦1.2 million. Medium-sized rams that went for ₦700,000 have reduced, while smaller ones now start at ₦100,000.

Bashir Hassan, a ram trader from Niger Republic, said that their government has stopped the movement of animals such as camels, cows, rams, and goats out of the country.

He explained that flooding earlier this year in areas like Niamey, Maradi, and Tawa killed many animals, and the authorities are afraid of shortages during Eid-el-Kabir. He added that security officers, immigration, and traditional rulers were told to stop anyone trying to move animals across the border, and many livestock have already been seized.

Despite the low supply, he noted that customer turnout is also lower than in 2024.

Another trader, Alhaji Muazu Maifaru, said the ban mainly affects traders from Niger. He believes Nigeria has enough farms to meet demand, even for exports, though some areas still face security issues. He added that Nigeria still exports food items like maize, pepper, mangoes, and rice to Niger Republic.

“You will see Mangal rice in many places in Niger Republic,” he said, urging the Nigerien authorities to review their policies, as they are hurting trade between the two countries.

(NAN)