The Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association has called on the Federal Government to introduce dedicated loan facilities for butchers across the country as part of efforts to address the escalating cost of beef and other meat products.
The association said improved access to affordable financing would enable butchers to purchase cattle directly from livestock markets and producers, reducing their dependence on intermediaries whose activities often contribute to significant price increases along the livestock value chain.
Speaking on the issue, the National Security Adviser of the association Pariya, said many butchers lack the financial capacity to purchase cattle outright from farmers and are therefore compelled to obtain animals on credit from dealers at higher prices.
According to him, the practice has become a major factor driving the rising cost of beef, skin and other meat products in markets across the country.
Pariya explained that cattle purchased at livestock markets for between ₦500,000 and ₦750,000 are often resold by middlemen for as much as ₦1.3 million to ₦1.5 million, depending on location and market conditions.
He described the arrangement as exploitative noting that many butchers only make payments after selling the meat leaving them vulnerable to inflated prices imposed by intermediaries.
The association maintained that government-backed loan schemes would allow butchers to source livestock directly from producers, thereby reducing procurement costs and helping to stabilise meat prices nationwide.
The group further noted that the retail price of beef has risen sharply in recent months, with a kilogram that previously sold for between ₦5,500 and ₦6,500 now retailing for between ₦8,000 and ₦9,000 in many parts of the country.
Beyond financing challenges, the association identified rising transportation costs and insecurity as additional factors contributing to the increase in beef prices.
Pariya, however argued that security concerns in some livestock-producing areas are occasionally overstated, adding that fears surrounding insecurity continue to discourage many traders from travelling to major cattle markets.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of MAFYDA in Taraba State, Ibrahim Mohammed, attributed the increase in meat prices to broader challenges affecting livestock production.
According to him, the rising cost of veterinary drugs, vaccines, animal healthcare services and consultation fees has significantly increased production expenses for livestock farmers.
He also identified the shrinking availability of grazing land as a major challenge affecting livestock production and cattle supply.
Stakeholders noted that improving access to affordable financing, strengthening veterinary services, addressing transportation bottlenecks, and expanding livestock development initiatives could help improve efficiency within the meat value chain and moderate rising beef prices.
They stressed that sustained investments in livestock production and marketing systems remain essential for ensuring affordable animal protein, supporting rural livelihoods and strengthening national food security.
