A Deep Dive into the Cost of Bushmeat in Nigeria (2024)

The cost of Bushmeat in Nigeria may vary according to different locations or region in Nigeria. Some region like the southwest and southeast are known to hunt for bushmeat a lot, and several bushmeat markets are in these regions, which definitely will increase supply and lower the cost of bushmeat.

Bush meat is the term used to describe the meat that is obtained from wild animals such as monkeys, antelopes, porcupines, and pangolins, amongst other groups of species.

Bushmeat remains a major protein source, but bushmeat trade and eating bring up concerns for public health, conservation, and sustainability.

We are going to investigates the factors  influencing bushmeat costs, looks at regional differences in the cost of bushmeat, and examines the economic drivers propelling this special industry.

Also See: Current Price Of Cow In Nigeria Today 2024: A Market Analysis

Differences In The Prices Of Bush Meat By Region

Different parts of the country have different prices for bushmeat, and this is because some parts of the country, like the southwest, south-south, and southeast, are better known for hunting than others, like the north and south-south.

Due to this outcome, we expect the price of bushmeat to be lower in these hunting-friendly areas.

There are basically three ways you can buy bush meat in Nigeria,

1. Buying from the hunters directly
2. Buying from a bushmeat market
3. Buying from middlemen

Bushmeat sellers at Oluwo market, which is on the outskirts of Lagos, say they buy grasscutters and other forms of bushmeats from hunters in nearby and faraway towns and bring them to markets in cities.  

These bushmeat sellers are also middlemen in the business of bushment selling.

Let’s see how the prices of bushmeat sold by hunters vary with region:

Southern Nigerian: Bushmeat is relatively cheaper in southern Nigeria compared to the northern part of the country.

In southern Nigeria, you can buy bush meat from hunters from a price of ₦5,000 to ₦25,000, depending on the kind of bushmeat and size of the meat.

The cost of grasscutters in places like Edo and Delta can be between 8,000 to 15,000 depending on the size of the mean and town you are buying from, and this is because it is cheaper in smaller towns and villages than cities.

Eastern Nigeria: In regions like Enugu and Ebonyi, bushmeat might be slightly more affordable due to easier access from nearby forests.

Grasscutters could sell for around ₦9,000 to ₦15,000

Western Nigeria: In a place like Lagos, Bushmeat prices from hunters ranged from ₦5000 to ₦25,000.

Grasscutters can range from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per whole animal, depending on their sizes and location.  

Prices might be lower in smaller towns near rainforests.

Generally, bushmeat is cheaper in the western part of the country like Ibadan, Oyo, and Ogun, as compared to other regions. 

Northern Nigeria: Due to drier landscapes and stricter regulations, bushmeat might be scarcer in some northern regions.

This can lead to higher prices, with grasscutters potentially costing upwards of ₦12,000 and above.

Comparisons Market Prices of Bushmeats In Nigeria

LOCATION	TYPE OF BUSHMEAT	AMOUNT
Lagos	Grasscutter Average size	₦8,000 to ₦15,000
Lagos	Grasscutter Big size	₦20,000 to ₦25,000
Lagos	Bush Dog	₦20,000 to ₦25,000
Lagos	Bush cat	₦10,000 to ₦12,000
Lagos	Porcupines	₦8,000 to ₦12,000
Lagos	Antelope	₦25,000 to ₦30,000
Edo	Grasscutter Average size	₦10,000 to ₦18,000
Edo	Grasscutter Big size	₦22,000 to ₦28,000
Edo	Antelope	₦30,000 to ₦35,000
Delta	Grasscutter Average size	₦14,000 to ₦20,000
Delta	Grasscutter big size	₦22,000 to ₦30,000
Delta	Bush Dog	₦25,000 to ₦30,000
Lagos	Small Monkey	₦7,000 to ₦10,000
Edo	Small Monkey	₦10,000 to ₦14,000
Edo	Porcupines	₦10,000 to ₦14,000
Delta	Small Monkey	₦12,000 to ₦16,000
Delta	Antelope	₦30,000 to ₦35,000
Delta	Porcupines	₦12,000 to ₦15,000
Delta	Bush cat	₦12,000 to ₦15,000

Places You Can Buy Bushmeat From In Lagos

With more than 20 million people, Lagos is one of the biggest towns in Africa and a good market for bush meat.

Oluwo Market, Epe, Lagos

There is a lot of bush meat at the Oluwo market in Epe, Lagos. There are many choices at the market, such as crocodile, grass cutter, antelope, bush pig, and deer.

Therre are other smaller bushment markets in Lagos but Oluwo market in Epe is the biggest of all.

List Of Bushmeat Species

1. Wild pig  (Red river hog)
2. Monkey (white-throated monkey, Sclater’s guenon Olive colobus, Niger Delta red colobus, Preus’s) red colobus,
3. Porcupine (Crested porcupine)
4. Tortoise (African spurred tortoise, Senegal flap shell turtle, serrated hinge-back tortoise)
5. Crocodile (slender-snouted crocodile, dwarf crocodile, Nile crocodile)
6. Grasscutter
7. Antelope (yellow-backed duiker, Dwarf antelope, Western hartebeest, red-flanked duiker, bay duiker, Maxwell’s duiker, black duiker)
8. Hedgehog
9. Sea turtle (Olive ridley, green sea turtle, leatherback turtle)
10. Snake (Royal python, rock python)
11. Chimpanzee (Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee)
12. Pangolin (long-tailed (black-bellied) pangolin, Giant ground pangolin, white-bellied tree pangolin)
13. Monitor lizard (Bosc’s monitor lizard)
14. Bat (hammer-headed bat, Egyptian rousette fruit bat, Straw-colored fruit bat)

Health Implication Of Eating Bushmeat

In Nigeria’s major cities, you can find thriving bushmeat markets, both legally and illegally.

This trade of bushmeats is still mostly unchecked. New diseases can be introduced and transmitted more easily when wild animals are trapped and transported in stressful and unclean settings where they interact with humans and domesticated animals.

World Health Organization says that 75% of all newly emerging infectious diseases in the past ten years have originated in animals.

Outbreaks of Ebola, HIV, and SARS have been linked to the wild or bushmeat trade.

Additionally, the handling and butchering of bushmeat pose zoonotic disease risks, with the potential to transmit diseases from animals to humans.

Environmental Implication Of the Consumption of Bushmeat

Poaching for body parts and meat is one of the many dangers that wildlife in Nigeria faces.

Other dangers include the destruction of habitats caused by deforestation, the construction of infrastructure, and the increase of agricultural production.

You may find crocodiles and antelopes, which are on the decline, in bushmeat markets all around the nation.

The WILDAID survey, a non-profit organization, found that out of all the bushmeat consumed in Nigeria, 44% chose grasscutters, 25% snake, 21% wild pig, and 21% antelope/deer. Monkeys make up 11% of the total, porcupines 10%, tortoises 9%, and crocodiles 8%, monitor lizards 7%, bats 6%, sea turtles 4%, and chimpanzees, pangolins, hedgehogs, and civets each account for about 2%.

The consumption of bushmeat has a big effect on the environment. Unsustainable hunting methods put at risk rare species and upset the balance of nature.

Why Are Bushmeats Eaten In Nigeria?

There is a lot of bushmeat eating going on in West and Central Africa. Mammals, especially ungulates and rodents, are the most common species that are sold in the bushmeat markets. 

Again, taste and other things like health and cultural concerns make people in the region choose to eat bushmeat.

Wealthy people are more likely to eat bushmeat these days because it is more expensive than farmed meat or fish.

There are markets in Lagos where a full bushmeat duiker or antelope can cost about 20,000 to 25,000 naira. Prices could be even higher in other places where hunting is not common.

Why Is Bushmeat Expensive In Nigeria?

Within the context of Nigerian cuisine, bushmeat is a culturally significant ingredient that is frequently connected with festivities, special occasions, and shows of wealth.

Another factor that contributes to the desire for bushmeat is the food’s flavour as well as the supposed health benefits of particular types.

The grasscutter, also known as the larger cane rat, antelopes, monkeys, and a variety of bird species are among the most popular options that are seen to be expensive because they are not readily available in every market, so it is common knowledge that when supply is limited, the price goes up.

Factors Affecting Bushmeat Prices in Nigeria

Several factors affect how much bushmeat costs in Nigeria:

Scarcity and Seasonality:

Seasonal changes and hunting success determine how much bushmeat is available. Of course, scarier animals fetch more money.

Dry seasons could make hunting simpler, which would cause brief price drops.

Location:

Several parts of Nigeria have somewhat different prices. Prices are usually higher in cities with restricted access to hunting grounds than in rural areas where bushmeat is more easily available.

Animal Species:

The price is greatly influenced by the kind of animal taken. Because they are seen as exclusive and they break hunting laws, endangered or uncommon species command outrageous prices.

Part of the Animal:

Some cuts, like meat from the back legs or organs thought to have healing qualities, may cost more than other parts.

Processing and Preservation:

Generally speaking, fresh harvested meat is less expensive than longer-lasting smoked or dried bushmeat.

Economic Factors That Affect the Bushmeat Market

Several economic factors contribute for the high desire for bush meat:

Access to Cheap Protein: 

Poverty and a lack of infrastructure make it hard for many Nigerians to get cheap protein sources, even though the government is trying to encourage livestock farms. It looks like bushmeat is a cheaper option.

Urbanization and Population Growth: 

Nigeria’s fast urbanization causes a need for easy-to-find protein sources, which bushmeat sellers take advantage of.

High Demand for “Exotic” Meats: 

For some people, bushmeat is a sign of status, and they are willing to pay more for the idea that they are getting something special and unique.

Weak Law Enforcement: 

The illegal bushmeat trade grows because wildlife protection laws aren’t enforced well enough, which affects prices based on the amount of

Sustainable Alternatives to Bushmeat

For the sake of both ecology and public health, it is of the utmost importance to encourage the consumption of sustainable alternatives to bushmeat. These are some possible solutions to consider:

Supporting Livestock Farming:

The provision of a dependable supply of protein can be achieved through the support of livestock farming through the implementation of government initiatives and investments that can make livestock production more accessible and cheap in rural areas.

Bushmeat Farming:

 Bushmeat farming that is regulated and controlled has the ability to supply some of the demand while also lowering the amount of strain placed on wild populations.

Public Awareness Campaigns:

Through public awareness campaigns, Nigerians can be educated about the environmental and health impact linked with the use of bushmeat that is not sustainable. This can encourage them to make responsible choices.

Is Bush Meat Good For Health?

Depending on the situation, bushmeat can be good for your health or bad for it. Let’s consider some of the benefits and drawbacks of bushmeat consumption.

Possible Benefits of Bushmeat

• Nutrient source: Bushmeat can be a good protein source, iron, zinc, and other important nutrients, especially in places where other protein sources are hard to come by.
• Less fat: Bushmeat may have less saturated fat than some domesticated foods.
• Free-range means that the animals were raised in the wild, so the meat from them may not contain any of the hormones and drugs that are used on farm animals.

Possible downsides:

• Spreading diseases: Zoonotic diseases can move from animals to people through bushmeat. Ebola and anthrax are two examples.
• Contamination: When you handle and prepare bushmeat incorrectly, it can become infected with germs or parasites.
• Toxic substances: Depending on where the animal lived, some bushmeat may contain heavy metals and other poisons.

In general, bushmeat may be worse for your health than it is good for you.

If you’re thinking about eating bushmeat, you need to make sure you get it officially and handle it properly.

However, there are better, safer, and longer-lasting ways to get protein and other important nutrients.

FAQs – A Deep Dive into the Cost of Bushmeat in Nigeria (2024)

What is meant by bush meat?

Bushmeat is the term used to describe the meat of wild animals that are specifically hunted for consumption, most commonly in Africa. Monkeys, antelope, rats, bats, and even endangered species like pangolins are some of the animals that can be the source of this bushmeat.

What are the examples of bushmeat?

Here are some examples of bushmeat:

• Mammals: These include porcupines, antelope, duikers (small antelopes), monkeys, antelope, cane rats (which eat grass), and in some places, even elephants and giraffes.
• Birds: Guineafowl, francolins, and parrots are some of the wild birds that are caught for bushmeat.
• Bats
• Reptiles: People in some places eat snakes, lizards, and alligators.

What is bush meat in Yoruba?

In Yoruba, bush meat is called “eran igbe”.

“Eran” means “meat.”

“Igbe” means “bush.”

What is another name for bush meat?

The word “bushmeat” doesn’t have many common words that mean the same thing. But, based on the situation, you might use these words:

• Wild meat: This is a general term for meat that comes from wild animals that have been killed.
• Wild game or Game Meat:  When you hunt wild animals for food or fun, you get wild game meat. This is similar to wild meat.

Conclusion

An intricate problem arises in the Nigerian bushmeat trade. Many people rely on it as a protein source, yet there are serious worries about the impact of bushmeat consumption on the environment and public health.

To start having educated conversations about long-term solutions, we need to know what factors contribute to the cost of bushmeat and how costs vary by region.

A future where cultural traditions and environmental conservation may coexist requires a concerted effort to increase public awareness, investigate regulated bushmeat farming, and promote alternate protein sources.