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The Lagos State Butchers Association has blamed the recent surge in beef prices on transportation difficulties caused by flooding in northern Nigeria.
The association also urged the government to intervene urgently through sustainable ranching to address persistent challenges in the livestock sector.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos, the association’s patron, Alhaji Bamidele Kazeem, said the sharp rise in beef prices was placing a considerable burden on households.
“The flooding in the North has disrupted cattle transport to Lagos. Moving them has become more difficult and expensive,” Kazeem said.
He hinted that while transportation costs were a major factor, some traders were also exploiting the situation to inflate prices unnecessarily.
“You know how our people behave—they seize every opportunity to raise prices,” he remarked.
Kazeem explained that apart from transport logistics, there were no major changes in the supply chain and that prices might ease if alternative transport systems, particularly rail, were improved.
“If the government can help improve the rail system, prices will fall. That’s our best short-term solution,” he said.
He also advocated for ranching as a lasting solution to recurring problems in the meat supply chain.
“In my view, ranching is the only way forward. The government is making efforts with its ranching initiative, and we must support it,” Kazeem said.
He highlighted the Eko Ranching Project as part of Lagos State’s broader efforts to reform the red meat value chain and ensure proper hygiene and quality control.
According to him, the project aims to boost local cattle rearing, reduce dependence on cattle imports, and improve food security.
He said successful implementation would benefit the economy and improve the livelihoods of butchers and cattle rearers.
Kazeem urged the government to invest in both rail infrastructure and ranching to ensure a stable and affordable meat supply nationwide.
Meanwhile, Isa Ahmed, a butcher at Ogba Market, told NAN that cows previously purchased for between ₦1.1 million and ₦1.15 million before Sallah now cost between ₦1.2 million and ₦1.3 million, depending on size.
Ahmed said that a kilogramme of meat now sells for ₦7,000 in major Lagos markets, up from ₦5,000 a few months ago.
He noted that they sourced cows from Niger and Chad, which contributed to the current price hike.
Another butcher, who requested anonymity, attributed the rising prices to the greed of some retailers.
“The increase isn’t that bad; people are just exaggerating things to raise prices,” the butcher claimed.
