The cost of livestock climbed steeply in parts of Akoko land on Thursday as Christmas shopping peaked in Ikare-Akoko and Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State.
A visit to Osele Market in Ikare and the central market in Akungba revealed that buyers paid as much as N35,000 for a full-grown chicken, while prices of goats ranged from N100,000 to N120,000, depending on size.
The sharp rise disrupted traditional festive buying, pushing many residents to settle for beef, which traders said remained the most affordable option for families celebrating the season.
Some sellers attributed the surge in goat prices to the ban on goat domestication, noting that reduced local supply coincided with heightened Christmas demand.
In the poultry segment, traders blamed escalating feed prices and rising operational costs for the unusually high cost of chicken in the markets.
A livestock trader, Bukola Aduloju, said sales remained brisk despite the price increase, explaining that food items usually attract strong demand during festive periods.
“Residents still come to the market on Christmas Day because some were unable to get money the previous day,” she said, while urging the government to find lasting solutions to the rising cost of goods and services.
An Anglican priest, the Reverend Emmanuel Olawole of St Paul’s Church, Ikare-Akoko, said the situation underscored the need for moderation during the Yuletide.
“Times like this call for sober reflection. Christmas should not be about excessive spending but about love, peace and sharing,” Olawole said.
He appealed to affluent individuals and public authorities to assist struggling households so they could also enjoy the celebration.
“The essence of Christmas is lost if many families are unable to celebrate because of hardship,” he added.
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