A survey of some ram markets conducted in Minna showed a drop in prices of rams compared to 2014.
The Vice-chairman of Turaku Ram Market, Alhaji Yahaya Bagobiri, said the prices of rams this year ranged from N20, 000 to N80, 000 depending on the size as against N30, 000 to N120, 000 in past years.
''The patronage has been poor this year, despite the fact that rams are quite cheaper this time around compared to previous years.
"A ram that went for N120, 000 in 2013 and 2014 now goes for around N80, 000. So you can see there is a reasonable drop in price,'' he added.
Malam Abdullahi Mairago, a ram seller, expressed disbelief at the poor sales despite the low prices.
"I am quite surprised at the poor turn out of customers because the prices are very good.
"How much lower in terms of price do we have to go before more people will start buying because I don't understand what is happening," he said.
Another seller, Dantijo Aliyu, was, however, hopeful of a last minute rush by customers as witnessed in the past.
"Though, the market has not been moving as expected, but we only hope for better days ahead.
"There is usually a last minute rush by customers on the eve of Eid el-Kabir, so I am relying on that to make up for the poor sales so far," he said.
Some of the customers, who spoke attributed the low patronage to a number of factors like harsh economic situation.
"Government will do well by increasing workers’ salaries to enable them have more money for celebrations like this," they said.
Another buyer, Imrana Sabo, argued that people were just trying to take their time and wait until the last day when prices would have gone down much lower.
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