Enugu – Prices of food items, including livestock, have risen in some markets in Enugu, three days to this year’s Easter.

Market watchers blamed a recent political unrest in some parts of the north of the country as being the direct cause of the high cost of the items — tomatoes, onions, and livestock among others.

A market survey) on Thursday showed that livestock increased by between 10 and 20 per cent.

At the Artisan Market, the price of a medium cow increased from N55,000 to N80,000 while the big ones now sell for between N100,000 and N160,000.

The prices were also the same at the Garki Market, Awkunanaw, where limited supplies of cows were available and many dealers unable to meet the rising demand.

Mr Abdul Isa, a ram dealer, said the prices were high because of demands occasioned by the looming Easter celebrations.

Mr Aminu Mohammed, a cow dealer, attributed the high cost to the crisis in the northern parts of the country.

“People are afraid of traveling to the north because of recent riots there, so supplies of cows are not coming down to Enugu,’’ Mohammed said.

Mr Jude Oba, a dealer in live chicken, said the prices were high because many families demanded chickens during the season.

“There is high demand of chicken and we cannot meet the demand. That is why the prices are high,’’ Oba said.

He said that chickens were sold between N1,500 and N3,000 depending on the size as against N1,000 and N1,500 in the past.

Mrs Jane Okolie said she bought a sizeable broiler at N2,300. “Before now, I use to buy a broiler at between N1,500 and N1,800 depending on the size.

“I believe that the cause of increase is the Easter celebrations,” Okolie said.

A goat now sells for between N12,000 and N30,000 depending on the size as against between N8,000 and N28,000 in the past.

The  prices of tomatoes and onions had risen in the state capital.

A basket of tomatoes rose from between N4,000 and N4,500 to N7,500 while a small measure of onions now sells for N50.

Some buyers expressed dismay at the increase in prices of the food items.

Mrs Ngozi Okoroji, a civil servant, said Nigerians were fond of taking advantage of any big celebrations to increase prices of goods. (NAN)