By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT
On Tuesday, livestock farmers were taken aback by a sudden drop in prices of their animals in Kamuwongo Market, Mwingi North sub county.
The prices plummeted for more than 25%. This affected all sizes of goats. Traders told MWINGI TIMES that the reason for this drop was disruption of export market as the Iranian forces battle United States and Israel following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Katoi Muthengi, a trader said, "buyers who usually purchase our animals in bulk say the conflict has affected livestock exports. They are no longer shipping animals to the Middle East which has been our main market".
Mr Katoi said as a result, most international traders shied away from buying goats for export leaving the void to local butchery attendants and brokers.
He estimated the escalating Middle East war was likely to worsen our earnings from the livestock trade which supports millions of families. "Because of the escalating conflict, they were unable to export animals they bought last week. With their stock unsold, it makes little sense for them to return today and buy more", he elaborated.
A big billy that went for KSh20000 sold at about KSh15000. A nanny that went for KSh17000 retailed at KSh12000. That trend swept across all other sizes for both he and she goats.
It remains to be seen how long the Iran war will last and its eventual toll on Kenyan traders affected by a conflict that is not their own.
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
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