Butchers Smile To The Bank As Prices Of Turkey, Chicken Soar In Enugu
Petty butchers who specialise in slaughtering and cutting fowls into pieces at various markets in Enugu State are smiling to the bank following the upsurge in the demands for chickens and turkeys.
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THE WHISTLER reported that consumers in the state shunned goats and cows due to high prices.
As a result, many residents of the state resorted to chickens because they are relatively cheaper.
A butcher, Ikechukwu Mba, told our correspondent at the popular Ikpa market at Nsukka that, “We charge N1, 000 to kill and process one turkey. The demand for turkeys rose because one turkey is larger than a goat of the same price bracket.
“A turkey of about N35, 000 is far bigger than a goat of N45, 000. Chickens are even more expensive compared to the percentage of the increase. I’m here with all my grown-up children. So far, we have killed more than thirty turkeys. The number of chickens is higher. A chicken costs N200 each to be processed.”
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A butcher at Obollo-Afor, Moses Nnanna, said, “I train myself through processing chickens for consumers. Most of the buyers find it difficult to kill chickens at home. So they give us to kill and cut the flesh into pieces.
“When we are not on holiday, I come to the market to kill chickens. At times, I make N6, 000. But since this Christmas, I make over N10, 000 daily. In fact, I employed one person to assist me. I pay him.”
Madam Nkechi Ugwu told our correspondent that, “I buy chickens and give these boys to kill for me. It used to be N100 before. Today’s own is much because of the demand.
“I waited for over one hour before I could be attended to. Some of them that used to kill goats at the goat market relocated to the chicken market because of the demand.”
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THE WHISTLER reports that a sizeable male turkey costs about N40, 000 at Kenyatta market in Enugu while females cost relatively less. Chickens that were hitherto sold for N4, 500 sell for N10, 000 and above.
The hike forced some buyers to switch to ducks, old layers and pork.
