ASABA – The prices of cattle have shot up in Asaba, Delta capital in the last three months according to a survey conducted by newsmen.
The survey showed that a big cow which formerly sold for between N170, 000 and N180, 000 now sell for N250, 000.
A medium-sized cow which sold for between N80, 000 and N90, 000 last November, now goes for between N100, 000 and N110, 000, while a small cow is now being sold for between N70, 000 and N75, 000 as against N60, 000 and N65, 000 three months ago.
Mr Musa Lago, a dealer who spoke to newsmen attributed the cause of the increase to the dry season and cost of transportation.
Alhaji Mohammed Sani, the former chairman, Ram and Goat Sellers’ Association in Abraka Market, Asaba, said the increase was as a result of increase in the cost of transporting cattle to Nigeria from neighbouring countries.
He said: “Most of the cattle, rams and goats we sell in Nigeria are imported from Chad, Niger Republic and Cameroon and the cost of transporting them has increased.
“The cost of transporting cattle within Nigeria especially from the North to this part of the country has also gone up in the last few months.
“Another reason for the increase in the price of cattle is that it is more expensive to feed cattle during the dry season.’’
Sani appealed to the Federal Government to stabilize the price of petrol, saying it would help to reduce the prices of cattle.