ABSTRACT

The main objectives of the study analysed the costs and returns of beef marketing in Umuahia metropolis of Abia state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of beef marketing, the sources of their supplies, analysed the costs and returns of the respondents, estimated the determinants of profits of respondents and made recommendations based on the findings. Primary data was used in this study and was generated through the administration of well structured questionnaire to 120 respondents, randomly selected from the list of butchers in Umuahia city. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, charts, percentages, benefits-cost-ratio (BCR), marketing margins and multiple regression. Result from the study showed that majority of the marketers were retailers (66.67%) and only 33.33% of the respondents were wholesalers. The wholesalers were shown to be more efficient in beef marketing, with benefits-cost-ratio of 1.15 as against 1.13 recorded for retailers. Result also indicated that marketers are more adults among wholesalers and more youths among retailers, there are higher percentages of males in both wholesale and retailers butchers (100% and 93.75%) respectively. For both groups of respondents, primary and secondary education level is dominant (50%, 50%) and (25%, 75%) for wholesalers and retailers respectively. The result also showed that wholesalers have more marketing experience than the retailers in the study area. The result revealed that high percentage of both wholesalers and retailers (90% and 96.25%) respectively belong to butchers association. It was therefore recommended that relevant government agencies and other stakeholders in the beef industry should help tom ameliorate the constraint face in beef marketing so as to ensure the sustainability of the industry. For instance, effort should be geared towards the provision of such marketing facilities like mobile cold-rooms at affordable fees for easy transportation, handling and storage of beef so as to reduce spoilage of beef marketed in the sustainability of the business. For instance, effort could be geared towards the provision of such marketing facilities like mobile cold-rooms at affordable fees for easy transportation, handling and storage of beef so as to reduce spoilage. This would not only enhance the quality of beef marketed in the metropolis, it would also ensure the sustainability of the business.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Cover Page - - - i

Declaration                                                              - - - ii

Certification        - - - iii

Dedication                                              - - - iv

Acknowledgement                                                        - - - v

Table of contents                                  - - - vi

Abstract                                          - - - viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION - - - 1

1.1 Background of the study - - - 1

1.2 Problem Statement - - - 4

1.3 Research Questions. - - - 5

1.4 Objective Of The Study - - - 5

1.5 Significance Of The Study - - - 5

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE - - - 7

2.1 Meat/ Beef industry in Nigeria/Abia State - - - 7

2.2 Sources Of Beef In Abia/Nigeria - - - 8

2.3 The Concept Of Costs And Returns - - - 9

2.4 Profitability Analysis - - - 10

2.5 Profitable Cattle Marketing for the Cow-Calf Producer - - - 11

2.5.1 Plan for the Market - - - 13

2.5.2 Changes in Beef and Live Cattle Marketing - - - 15

2.5.3 Where to Market - - - 15

2.5.3 Choose the Right Marketing Method - - - 16

2.5.4 When to Market - - - 18

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLGY - - - 19

3.1 Area of The Study - - - 19

3.2 Sampling Techniques - - - 20

3.3 Method of Data Collection  - - - 20

3.4 Data Analysis - - - 20

3.5 Model Specification - - - 21

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS - - - 22

4.1 Socio-economic characteristics of Respondents - - - 22

4.2 Sources of Supplies - - - 24

4.3 Cost and Returns Analysis of Respondents - - - 25

4.4 Determinants of Profits among Beef Dealers - - - 27

4.4.1 Regression Analysis of Factors Affecting Profit of 

Wholesalers in Beef Marketing - - - 27

4.4.2 Regression Analysis of Factors Affecting Profit of 

Retailers In Beef Marketing - - - 29

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Summary of Findings - - - 31

5.2 Conclusion - - - 31

5.3 Recommendation - - - 31

References - - - 33

Questionnaire - - - 35