Yuletide: Chicken Vendors Lament Low Patronage

BY: News Peddlers 

With only a few hours until Christmas, Gombe chicken vendors are complaining about a lack of customers.

The sellers expressed concern about the development in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Gombe.

NAN's correspondent observed few customers pricing the birds in the Gombe Main Market's bird market section, while most chicken sellers were observed sitting by their bird cages.

According to Kabiru Musa, chairman of the Gombe State Chicken Sellers Association, chicken prices have risen slightly since 2021.

Mr Musa stated that while a few customers were coming out to buy chickens, the volume of customers was significantly lower than in 2021.

"The sales is not as expected because we have recorded low patronage compared to 2021. Although chicken and other bird prices have risen in comparison to last year, this is true not only for chicken but also for other items.

"In 2021, a matured broiler cost between N4,000 and N5,000, but it now costs between N6,000 and N7,000.

"In 2021, matured local chicken cost between N3,000 and N4,000, but it now costs between N4,000 and N6,000, depending on size."

Usman Abubakar, a chicken vendor, expressed his dissatisfaction with the poor sales.

"No one is coming to the market to buy chicken, probably because they do not have enough money, so they prioritise and go for alternatives within their means," Mr Abubakar said.

"In 2021, between December 23 and 24, I sold no fewer than 90 chickens, but I have yet to sell up to 10 chickens this year," he said.

Mr Abubakar stated that many residents have become poultry farmers and are now selling their chickens in their communities.

"That's another reason we don't see them here anymore (at the market), except when they come to slaughter chickens," he explained.

Other sellers who spoke with NAN expressed similar concerns and shared similar experiences.

Mohammed Bappah, who slaughters chickens at the market, said he had received enough business to make a decent living.

Mr Bappah said he was getting customers despite complaints from chicken sellers close to him.

"Although the number of chickens slaughtered in 2021 during this period is higher, I still have enough customers and am happy to be making some profits."

Bulus Joseph, a poultry farmer, said he had spent a lot of money on feed for his birds but had not received enough patronage to sell them.

Mr Joseph stated that he had over 50 birds but only sold 18 of them, which he finds troubling because he has yet to recoup his investment.

NAN