By Francis Akinnodi, Ondo

Ondo West and East Local Government Areas are witnessing a sharp rise in cattle prices, causing serious concern among butchers and consumers of beef.

The increase, attributed to a seasonal shortage of cattle, has pushed prices to levels that many say are unsustainable.

Speaking with Weekend Hope, stakeholders in the cattle market highlighted how the transition from dry season to wet season cattle is creating scarcity and driving costs up.

A cattle dealer and butcher in Ondo town, Vincent Awoniyi, explained that the price of cattle has surged significantly.

“Prices for small and medium cattle have gone up from around N150,000 to N200,000 or more. Small-sized cattle that used to sell between N350,000 and N450,000 now go for N500,000 to N600,000. Medium-sized ones have increased from N600,000–N700,000 to N800,000–N1 million, while the biggest are now sold between N1.5 million and N2 million,” he said.

Awoniyi attributed the trend to the scarcity of the older dry season cattle, which are giving way to the new wet season breed.

“This is a typical seasonal pattern. The old stock becomes scarce and expensive during the transition, similar to how yam prices rise. Prices are expected to drop by June or July when the wet season cattle become available in larger numbers,” he added.

Aremu Adeoye, a local butcher, noted that many customers have stopped buying beef or switched to cheaper protein sources.

 “We’re struggling to maintain supply because demand is falling,” he said.

A beef consumer,  Mrs. Caroline Ajibade said she no longer buys beef because it is too expensive. “I have switched to fish to meet my family’s protein needs,” she explained.

Street food vendors have adjusted their prices accordingly.

‘Iya Ojo,’ a popular vendor, said the price of a piece of beef has risen from N200 to between N250 and N1,000, depending on size.

“Many customers now eat without beef or just with ‘ponmo’ (cow skin),” she said.