ABSTRACT

 The study examined the economics of beef marketing in Ugheili North L. G. A of Delta state. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic characteristic of the traders, estimating the marketing margin and identify factors which constrained margin. To achieve the objectives of this study, six markets were chosen out of which a total of 62 questionnaires were distributed through simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics marketing margin analysis and ordinary least square estimation techniques. The socio-economic analysis shows that the traders were within the active labour force moderately educated and financed their business through mainly personal savings. The margin analysis shows the venture to be profitable purchase cost accounted for 98% of the total cost, transportation cost accounted for 1.16%, storage cost 0.35%, stall charge accounted for 0.44%, miscellaneous cost and depreciation of equipment accounted for 0.21% and 0.08% respectively. The analysis further show that 15% of the selling price accrue to the retailers as margin. The semi-log functional form was chosen as the lead equation. Quantity bought, selling, and storage were found to have significantly affected the revenue. The retailers identified high cost of transportation and lack of capital as the major problem faced by the traders. Based on the findings, it is recommended that good roads network and cheap transportation should be provided by government. Equally adequate trading capital should be made more available from banks and other formal financial institutions.