Chicken and foodstuff traders in Abuja have expressed concern over low patronage on the eve of this year’s Christmas celebrations, lamenting what they described as a sharp decline in festive sales compared to previous years.

Abuja Metro reported that some of the traders attributed the situation to delays in the payment of December salaries, while others blamed the prevailing economic hardship affecting households across the country.

At the Wuse Market, poultry trader Ahmad Iliya was seen displaying turkeys for sale, but noted that the usual rush associated with the Christmas season was largely absent this year.

Iliya explained that the level of patronage had dropped drastically when compared to the same period last year, despite having stocked birds of different sizes to attract buyers.

He said, “I have turkeys in the large category for N80,000 to N150,000, with smaller sizes available for as low as N30,000. But as of this afternoon (yesterday), I have sold only three out of the birds I brought.”

The poultry trader further lamented the rising cost of maintaining the birds, noting that feeding alone had become a heavy financial burden.

He said, “I received supplies about a week ago from Katsina, Kano and Kaduna states, and they consume an average of N50,000 in feed every day.

Most people I interact with are complaining about the lack of December salary. I don’t know what will happen between now and tomorrow, but I pray for better sales before the period elapses.”

A resident, Peter Iyke, who was spotted boarding a vehicle near the market, disclosed that he had not carried out any Christmas shopping as of Tuesday.

Iyke noted that while the prices of some food items appeared to have reduced compared to last year, the same could not be said for chicken prices.

He said, “The prices of some food items have dropped compared to last year, but that hasn’t taken effect on chicken prices which remain high. We hope to celebrate with joy no matter the situation or the hardship.”

In Kubwa, a chicken farmer based in Suleja, Niger State, Gbenga Dele, said he brought his broilers into the Federal Capital Territory with the hope of securing better sales during the festive period.

Dele, who was assisted by his wife and son, parked his vehicle under a pedestrian bridge along the expressway, where he attempted to attract passersby while also shielding the birds from direct sunlight.

Expressing his disappointment over the market situation, Dele told Abuja Metro that sales had been extremely poor since his arrival.

He said, “Sincerely speaking, I am short of words regarding this year’s Christmas market. You would be surprised if I tell you what I spent to raise these birds and what people are offering for them. In a good market, a chicken of this size will cost N20,000.

But people are offering N10,000 or even less. I haven’t sold any since I arrived this morning. The birds are nine weeks old now, and I am ready to sell at N12,000 – well below my initial target of N15,000.”

Dele added that the slow market was not limited to civil servants alone, stressing that business owners, artisans and other informal sector workers were also struggling financially.

Meanwhile, a foodstuff trader at the Kubwa Main Market, Almustafa Imam, confirmed that the decline in patronage cut across all sectors of trade.

Imam explained that customers who previously bought food items in large quantities during the Christmas season were now rarely seen in the market.

He said, “Previously, during Christmas shopping, the majority of our customers bought whole bags. Now, even those who buy in bulk are scarce. The situation has affected all traders, including those of us selling foodstuff.”