ANALYSIS OF MARKET STRUCTURE AND PROFIT LEVEL IN BEEF CATTLE MARKETING IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed market structure and profitability of beef cattle marketing in Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 93 respondents for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of Gini coefficient a measure of inequality in income distribution was 0.603. Similarly, the total revenue, gross margin and return per naira invested were ₦3,825, ₦1,514.62 and 64 kobo respectively for marketers. The major constraints experienced by marketers were high transport cost (75.3%), insecurity during transportation (68.8%) and theft or cattle rustling (66.7%). Thus, the study recommended that the government, financial institutions, non-governmental organizations and developmental projects to create a special credit package for the small-scale cattle fatteners, processors and other value chain actors to enable them maximise return. The Government and development partners to upgrade market infrastructure such as abattoir, cold room for better profit along the chain.