Livestock trading at Chepareria market in West Pokot county has hit a record low with the usual key players attributing it to the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19.
Traders at the ever-busy livestock market consider the month of November as the peak season but have said since the pandemic was announced in the country, they have been recording very low sales.
This is, however, good business for people in the market for livestock, with the festive season approaching to shop. As the traders lament over the poor market for sheep, goats and cattle the prices of the animals have also hit a record low.
A trader John Loribo told journalists that they have experienced very low business with prices having to be exponentially decreased. Unlike other years where a 100kg cattle would go for Sh.60,000, right now it has sunk to as low as Sh.30,000.
“At this time of the year I used to make a profit of around Sh2, 000 every market day but for now I barely make more than Sh.500,” lamented Loribo.
Despite approaching the festive season, indications on the ground paint a pessimistic future since there is still a very low turnout of buyers from in and outside the county. Loribo for instance says he still has last year’s stock since the prices have been poor and he cannot dispose of it for fear of making a big loss.
“We used to have buyers from Nairobi, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and other far off regions but it seems they have kept off. Farmers seem to give up since they bring their livestock to the market but fail to get their target prices because there are few buyers,” noted Loribo.
Samuel Lokudia who is both a farmer and a trader said the prices are low as compared to other years forcing him and other farmers to reduce their business activities.
He said buyers have shied away because of Covid-19 fear with the few getting to the market complaining that the prices might be higher according to the type of livestock being brought to the market by farmers.
“Goats are not selling like before. Farmers are being forced to go back with their livestock,” said another trader.
The farmers have appealed to both the national and county government to come up with strategies of sustaining the business to cushion those who have been surviving on the business.
This might be the best time to grab that Christmas Goat before the demand rises and prices plummet.
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