Livestock prices skyrocket ahead of Christmas 

As the festive season approaches, livestock prices in the country are surging, causing concern among farmers, sellers, and consumers alike. 

This year's market trends reveal that prices for poultry, goats, and sheep have skyrocketed, with a combination of disease outbreaks, rising feed costs, and supply shortages pushing the prices far beyond what many can afford. 

These price increases are hitting hard in major markets such as Kantamanto in Accra and other parts of the city, where vendors and farmers are struggling to meet the growing demand for livestock products during the Christmas season.

Poultry price surge as guinea fowls disappear

Dramani, a long-time poultry seller at the Kantamanto market in Accra, explained that the price of both local and foreign birds has risen sharply in recent weeks.

According to him, the local birds, particularly guinea fowls, which are traditionally in high demand for festive occasions, have become increasingly rare and significantly more expensive. 

“The local birds are hard to get during Christmas, and they are pricier than the foreign ones," Dramani shared. "But this year, prices have increased even more because many guinea fowls have died, and we don’t know what is causing it.”

These birds, usually sourced from the northern regions of Ghana, have become scarce due to what appears to be an unknown illness or environmental factor affecting the flocks. 

Dramani noted that guinea fowls are traditionally bought from areas like Tamale and Bolega in the north, but supply has dropped drastically. "We used to buy them from Tamale and Bolega, but it’s almost impossible now," he added. 

Last year, a guinea fowl could be purchased for around GH₵100, but this year, the price has more than doubled to GH₵200 or more, putting these birds out of reach for many Ghanaian households.

The scarcity of guinea fowls has driven up the prices of other poultry items as well, with foreign birds also costing more. Despite the price hikes, local sellers continue to struggle, as consumers are opting for cheaper alternatives, which has left vendors with unsold stock.

Poultry farmers struggling with rising costs and low demand

The situation is equally grim for poultry farmers like Thomas, who have seen a sharp decline in sales this Christmas season. According to Thomas, the market for poultry is slower than in previous years, with many customers opting out of purchasing due to the high prices. "A year or two ago, we used to sell between 2,000 to 5,000 fowls every Christmas, but this year, things are very bad," Thomas said.

The rising cost of poultry feed has been a significant contributor to the price hike. "Feeds for the poultry are expensive, and that has made the prices go up," Thomas explained. 

Poultry farmers are particularly affected by the price of maize, which is used extensively as feed. With the price of maize rising sharply, farmers are struggling to manage the cost of production. “Unless you have between GH₵100 to GH₵300, you can’t buy a fowl this year," Thomas explained, adding that a fowl was priced at GH₵60 just a year ago.

The situation has led to many potential buyers reconsidering their purchases. "Sometimes, my clients plan to buy two or more fowls, but when they hear the price, they change their minds and buy just one," Thomas noted.

Farmers and vendors alike are hopeful that a reduction in the price of maize could help ease the burden on poultry producers. "When the price of maize drops, the price of fowls will also drop, and it will lessen our burden," he said.

He called on the government to take action to address the maize supply issues that have been severely affecting the poultry sector.

Goat and sheep prices skyrocket amid disease outbreak

The price increases are not limited to poultry. Livestock prices for goats and sheep have also experienced significant hikes in the run-up to Christmas. 

A goat seller in Accra, popularly known as Alan Cash explained that the prices have risen sharply due to a recent disease outbreak in the northern regions of Ghana. 

The disease, which has been affecting livestock in the north, has caused the death of many animals, leading to a shortage of goats and sheep in the market.

"Now, you need between GH₵1,500 to GH₵2,000 to buy a goat, and some goats are even priced as high as GH₵3,000," he said. 

In previous years, goats were available for much lower prices, but this year, the price increase has made them unaffordable for many. The rising costs have created a challenge for sellers, who rely on purchasing goats from the north and reselling them in the capital. 

"We can’t even buy the animals from the north anymore," he lamented, pointing out that the high price makes it difficult to turn a profit.

He said many buyers are now opting for poultry instead of goats due to the high prices. "Because of the high price, people are unable to patronise the goats, and they end up buying fowls," the seller explained. 

The impact of the disease and the higher prices has left sellers concerned about the long-term effects on the livestock market, particularly during the festive season when demand for these animals is typically at its peak.

Call for government action to address challenges

The rising costs and market difficulties have left many in the livestock industry calling for government intervention. The goat seller, in particular, expressed frustration over the ongoing disease outbreak in the north and its devastating impact on livestock. "I want the government to investigate what this disease is and find a solution, as it is affecting us all," he said. 

With the festival season just around the corner, many vendors fear that the lack of supply will only drive prices higher, exacerbating the challenges faced by ordinary Ghanaians who rely on affordable livestock products for their holiday celebrations.

Moreover, the general increase in feed prices, especially maize, is also a major concern for both poultry farmers and goat sellers. "Apart from festivals, local goats are also used for rituals, so the government must help us," Alan Cash added, emphasising the broader importance of livestock in Ghanaian culture.

As the festive season looms, it is clear that both sellers and consumers will have to navigate these challenges. Whether the government can provide the necessary support to stabilise the market remains to be seen. Until then, the high prices and scarcity of key livestock products are likely to remain a significant hurdle for all involved.

Goat and sheep prices skyrocket amid disease outbreak