ABSTRACT

The study investigated the economics of beef marketing in Abia state. The study was justified to determine the contribution of each source of beef toward bridging the gap beef toward bridging the gap between demand and supply. And consequently the implications of beef marketing in terms of costs and returns on the beef traders and the society as a whole. For the purpose of the study two Hypotheses were formulated and tested. Two Local Government Areas were purposively selected based on their accessibility to Imo Regional Cattle Marker at Okigwe. Six different markets were also purposively selected, three from each Local Government Area on basis of their level of beef marketing activities. Twosets of structured questionnaire were instruments used in data collection. Standard deviation (S.D), coefficient of variation (C.v), mean, percentages, tables, and chi-square (x2) tests were used for the analysis. Results Indicated that :the original sources of beef cattle to the state were Bo-rio (27.8%) Bauchi (16.7%), Yobe (12.96%), Taraba (5.6%), Adamawa (741%), Katsjna (7.41%), Benue (12.96%), Kano (5.6%), and Sokoto (3.7%).  Ubakala (6888kg),okjg (1960kg), and Ogbor Hill (336kg), abattoirs were the sources of dressed carcass to the study area. The degree of variation in the different markets studied was not signjfic- the marketing margins were 12% and 11.9% for the wholesaler and the retailer respectively. The marketing efficiencies were 417% and 144% for the wholesaler and the ret ler respectively. the major marketing problems identified were lack of loan and credit facilities, high cost of beef and transportation etc. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made for the appropriate authorities to consider. Government should extend loan and credit facilities to the traders to enhance business expansion and adoption of improved marketing strategies. Establishment of more cattle ranches and slaughter houses should be arranged for, to enable supply keep pace with the ever increasing demand for beef.