Rising costs: Meat price increases in Ibadan

By Bushrah Adeshina, Ibadan

The National Butchers Association, Oyo State chapter, has announced an increase in meat prices as of Monday.

This price adjustment is a necessary response to the escalating costs of transportation and other operational expenses faced by the association, they said.

The Chairman of the state’s butcher association, Mr. Wahab Olayiwola, revealed this development during a prayer session held at the Agodi Gate prayer ground in Ibadan.

He underscored the industry’s vulnerability to inflation and emphasised that the price hikes were imperative for the sustenance of their businesses.

While urging understanding from residents, Olayiwola highlighted the regulatory challenges that necessitated the price adjustment.

 He noted that government intervention, including the provision of soft loans and a conducive business environment, would safeguard the industry from collapse and ensure a sustainable livelihood for its members.

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Biliaminu Elesinmeta, the Southwest Coordinator of the butchers, emphasised the association’s reliance on prayer for divine intervention amid the nation’s challenging economic climate.

Elesinmeta said, “We want to urge the government to assist us and see how the price of goods and services can come down. It is not our fault that we are increasing the price of meat. We sell what we buy.

“We need the assistance of the government. Nigerians don’t rear cows; they supply us. These cows are from neighbouring countries like Chad, Niger, and Mali and we buy them using CFA. Also, the cost of transporting these cows is very costly.”

Several industry members expressed concerns over operating at a loss and called on government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly, advocating for measures to enhance the viability of their businesses.