The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has said that the adoption of live-weight pricing in Nigeria’s livestock markets will significantly curb price exploitation and restore fairness across the value chain.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Minister–Livestock Farmers’ Connect held in Abuja on Tuesday, Maiha noted that the current system of pricing livestock—largely based on visual estimates and negotiations—has enabled widespread inefficiencies and allowed intermediaries to take advantage of both producers and consumers.
According to the Minister, selling animals based on their actual weight will introduce a transparent and standardised pricing structure that ensures farmers receive commensurate value for their livestock.
“In many cases, the producer does the hard work but earns the least, while middlemen take the highest margins. This ultimately drives up prices and creates distortions in the market,” he said.
Live-weight pricing involves weighing animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats using standard scales and pricing them per kilogram. The system replaces subjective valuation methods that often depend on physical appearance or bargaining strength—factors that have historically put farmers at a disadvantage.
Maiha explained that the reform is in line with global best practices and is expected to reduce arbitrary pricing, limit excessive mark-ups by middlemen, and improve overall market efficiency. He added that a more transparent pricing system would also help stabilise livestock prices and make meat more affordable for consumers.
The Minister linked the pricing reform to broader government efforts to modernise the livestock sector, improve food supply chains, and strengthen economic returns for producers. He emphasised that inefficiencies in the current system have contributed to rising food prices and weakened trust among market participants.
Analysts say the introduction of weight-based pricing could also enhance access to finance in the sector, as it provides a reliable and verifiable basis for valuing livestock assets. This, in turn, may encourage investment and support the growth of a more structured and data-driven livestock industry.
The move forms part of a wider reform agenda that includes promoting direct engagement between farmers and processors, investing in livestock infrastructure, and deploying digital systems for traceability and market coordination.
The Ministry indicated that implementation will be carried out in phases, with plans to introduce standard weighing facilities and guidelines across major livestock markets nationwide.
