The prices of goats at Pugu market have skyrocketed by about 50 per cent due floods resulting from ongoing rains pounding most parts of the country, disconnecting supply areas—mostly the Lake Zone.Under normal situation the prices of goats, sheep and cattle drop during the long rain season of between February-May as farmers sell their animals to meet their pre-harvest needs.
But the situation has changed this time around as rains wreaked havoc to road infrastructure, the main means of supply of the animals to Pugu.
A Pugu animal dealer, Mr William Mwalyema said the prices has skyrocketed since the supply was below demand, pushing up prices of low grade goat from 70,000/- to 120,000/- .
“Normally prices drop during this period to between 40,000/- and 50,000/- but this time around the prices shot up to the ceiling with no likelihood of improving supply in sight,” Mr Mwalyema said yesterday.
He said under normal circumstances the market receives between three and five five-tone lorries, each carrying between 140 and 150 goats. But instead the auction has since the floods that hit Tabora been receiving between zero and three trucks a day.
“This has worsened the market equilibrium as there is a lot of money chasing few goats,” Mr Mwalyema said. The Ministry of Industry and Trade Economist, Mr John Chassama said that at the road transport is not reliable due heavy rains.
“Cattle keepers have no pressure to sell their stock following a good grazing land, thanks to good rains,” Mr Chassama said.
He said under normal circumstances the market receives between three and five five-tone lorries, each carrying between 140 and 150 goats. But instead the auction has since the floods that hit Tabora been receiving between zero and three trucks a day.
“This has worsened the market equilibrium as there is a lot of money chasing few goats,” Mr Mwalyema said. The Ministry of Industry and Trade Economist, Mr John Chassama said that at the road transport is not reliable due heavy rains.
“Cattle keepers have no pressure to sell their stock following a good grazing land, thanks to good rains,” Mr Chassama said.
Another trader at Pugu Auction said, “At the moment, some of us opt to sleep at the market to wait for goats because always the trucks arrive at night.”
The low supply has affected goat traders who sometimes spend days without any business.
Source: The Daily News, reported by Abduel Elinaza in Dar es Salaam
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