ABSTRACT

This study assessed the marketing performance of three selected indigenous timber species (Garcinia kola, Milicia excelsa andKhaya ivorensis) in timber markets in Abia state Nigeria. The study was carried out in three selected timber markets located in Uratta, Ohafla, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Questionnaire were prepared and distributed to 180 respondentsfrom the three d sampled timber markets in Abia State. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics such asfrequency distribution, and percentage distribution. Result obtained showed that 44.6% had access to Nl,000,000 -N5,00,001 as working capital and 35.4% could mobilize N5,000,000 -Nl,000,001, 15.4% had access to more than N5,000,000 while 4.6% ofthe timber marketers had access to less than N500,000 as working capital. Similarly, itwas also revealed that 34.6% earned Nl,000,001 - N2,000,000 per annum, 40.0% earned N500,001 - Nl,000,000 per annum, 7.7% earned more than N2,000,000 per annum while 15.4% earned less than N500,000 per annum. Also, the findings made showed that about 25.4%> ofthe timber business operators complained that Government Policy, 23.8% incurred high transportation cost, 18.5% encountered inadequate credit facilities while about 13.8%> complained of unfavorable government policy and high transport cost, 6.2%> had high cost ofenergy andpower, and 4.6% Complained about inadequate facilities in the market. The result implies that the constraintsfacing the timber industry were obvious. Based on the findings and conclusions drawn from this study, the following recommendations were made, to improve the supply level oftimber in the study area there is need to improve on the supply of energy and power for production processes in the study area. Governmentshould encourage on private tree plantation so as to make available more trees since the demandfor timber is at increase.