ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the economics of palm produce marketing in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia state. The area covered include Oboro, ibere, Oloko and Ariam. Four villages were selected purposively which have major markets. The objective of the study arc specifically to: identify the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents involved in the marketing of palm produce in the study area, identify the sources of palm produce identify the marketing channel, determine the costs and returns of the product, identify the constraints in the marketing of the product in the study area and make appropriate recommendation based on the findings. A well structured questionnaire was used as source of primary data and then analyzed using tables, percentage and fRequency. Also gross margin and multiple regression was used. The marketers had a gross margin of N27,467.20 and net return of N26,792.45. The marketing chanael was also determined. The constraints which the marketers faced include, bad road, fluctuation in price among others. In conclusion, palm produce marketing contributed to the growth of this local government as a result the prospects include financial assistance from government, construction of roads, forming cooperative etc. so as to improve the marketing of palm produce in lkwuano L.G.A Abia State.