As Muslims in Ngaoundéré, the capital of Cameroon’s Adamawa region, prepare to celebrate the feast of Tabaski (Eid al-Adha), festive excitement is filling the markets. However, a sharp rise in sheep prices is casting a shadow over the celebrations.
Currently, sheep prices range from FCFA 45,000 to FCFA 60,000, a worrying increase for many households, particularly those from the middle class.
For them, purchasing mutton is not just a tradition but a sacred ritual—one that is becoming increasingly difficult to afford.
High demand in Cameroon’s southern cities, especially Douala and Yaoundé, largely drives this surge in prices, allowing livestock farmers to sell at higher profits.
As a result, local markets in the Adamawa region are experiencing reduced supply, automatically pushing prices upward.
In response, local authorities and trade officials have stepped in, announcing measures to ease the transportation of livestock from remote pastoral areas in the North and Far North regions.
The goal is to restore balance in urban markets and reduce the pressure on prices.
Many Muslim families are still holding out hope for a last-minute drop in prices. Yet, with Tabasky just days away, the outlook remains uncertain.
The holiday is expected to be joyful—but for some, it may come with economic strain.
