MARKETING ANALYSIS OF ONION IN SOKOTO AND KEBBI STATES OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study involved 35 retail and 30 wholesale onion traders in Sokoto and Kebbi States. Eight markets were purposively selected for the study, four catch from Sokoto and Kebbi States. Questionnaire were the main instrument of data collection while random sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics and the farmbudget technique were used for data analysis. Majority (63.1%) of the respondents had between 5 and I5 years experience in onion trading while only 6.2% ofthe traders had over 20 years experience in onion trading. Onion supplies were sourced from wholesale or urban markets by 91.43% and 86.66% of the wholesalers and retailers, respectively. The marketing channel showed that onion finds its way to the local consumers and consumers in distant markets through a number of intermediaries. Onion marketing was profitable to the tune N850.30 and N96.70 per bag for wholesale and retail traders respectively. Major problems of onion marketing include the frequent price fluctuations and high transportation costs. Provision of efficient transport systems and the establishment of onion processing plants were suggested.