Fall of livestock price opens trading opportunities

DAR ES SALAAM: FALLING livestock prices at Pugu Livestock Market are creating potential opportunities for traders and livestock keepers to buy animals at lower prices, add weight and resell them when market demand improves.

According to the latest Tanzania Meat Board (TMB) report, prices for several livestock categories declined from the previous week as supply increased while demand remained relatively low.

“The average livestock prices at Pugu Livestock Market declined in the week ending September 30, 2026 compared with the previous week. The decline was largely attributed to increased livestock supply at the market, while demand remained low,” the TMB report said.

The development reversed the trend recorded in the week ending September 23, when prices for most livestock increased. Goats recorded some of the sharpest declines. The price of a 12kg goat fell from 170,000/- to 130,000/-, a 23.5 per cent decrease.

A 22kg goat declined from 280,000/- to 230,000/- , equivalent to a 17.9 per cent fall, while a 30kg goat dropped from 360,000/- to 315,000/-, a 12.5 per cent decline. Cattle prices also weakened in some categories. A 200kg animal fell from 2.7m/- to 2.2m/-, an 18.5 per cent decline, while the price of a 330kg animal dropped from 3.5m/- to 3.3m/-, a 5.7 per cent fall.

However, the 90kg cattle category moved against the trend, rising from 1m/- to 1.1m/-, a 10 per cent increase. Sheep prices were similarly mixed.

A 15kg sheep declined from 185,000/- to 170,000/-, while a 9kg sheep fell from 100,000/- to 95,000/-. In contrast, the price of a 27kg sheep increased from 260,000/- to 270,000/-, representing a 3.8 per cent rise.

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The price correction could benefit traders who have sufficient capital and capacity to manage livestock through feeding, medication and transport before reselling. For example, buying a 12kg goat at 130,000/- could offer room for value addition through fattening, provided feeding and other management costs remain below the additional value gained when the animal is sold.

The trend, however, also highlights the importance of monitoring market demand, input costs and future price movements before committing capital. For livestock keepers, the lower market prices could also provide an opportunity to expand herds at relatively affordable costs, particularly for those with access to adequate feed, water and proper animal-health services.

However, traders would need to consider the length of the fattening period and associated costs before buying, as a prolonged period of weak demand could reduce expected returns despite the lower purchase prices.

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