As Christmas festivities beckon, the usual enthusiasm for chicken consumption among families has waned due to skyrocketing prices, leading to a notable shift towards beef as the preferred protein choice.
Traditionally, Christmas in many households is marked by the consumption of chicken.
However, a surge in both frozen and live chicken prices has driven many consumers to opt for beef this season.
Live chicken, previously sold at N5,000, now fetches prices ranging between N10,000 to N20,000, depending on size. Meanwhile, turkey prices soar between N40,000 to N45,000, also contingent on size.
The cost of chicken parts in cartons also saw steep hikes, with medium-sized chicken wings and big laps (chicken orobo) priced at N30,000 and N37,000, respectively.
Additionally, medium-sized chicken laps were sold at N33,000 per carton. In contrast, beef sold at N2,800 just a few weeks ago now costs N3,300 per kilogram, reflecting a significant price rise.
Market investigations revealed the underlying factors contributing to the elevated chicken prices.
According to Mrs Oluwatoyin Fasasi, a live chicken and turkey seller, the increased cost of chicken feeds and maintenance fees directly impacts the final retail prices.
She mentioned scaling down bird breeding from 250 to 100 due to heightened costs, resulting in reduced patronage compared to the previous year.
“It is not our fault that the prices of different types of chicken are high.
“The high cost of live chicken is due to the increased cost of feed and other maintenance fees.
“I had to breed 100 birds, unlike last year, where I bred 250, to be able to meet the cost of feed and maintenance.
“The patronage is very low, unlike last year, because of the increase in the price of chicken. It is not our fault,” she told Vanguard.
Mrs Aduke Olujimi, a baker, foresaw the spike in chicken prices and chose to opt for beef, emphasizing its quantity and affordability compared to chicken at the current rates.
Her words: “I have predicted such a scenario where there will be a rise in the prices of live and frozen chicken.
“So I bought N20,000 beef, which quantity is preferable when compared to chicken at that price.
“This will serve my family and friends for Christmas.”
