ABSTRACT

This research examined the demand for soybean products in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State Nigeria. The study used stratified random technique to select 60 respondents. The result of regression analysis using exponential regression functions as the lead equation showed that the own price, cross price and monthly income do not influence the quantity of soybean product demanded or consumed. The result of price and income elasticity of demand indicated that soybean products (soybean oil, flour and milk) are perfectiy inelastic to the changes in price but is relatively elastic to change in income. However, the result on problems indicated that 50% of soybean consumers had the problem of acceptance by households, for the products, while 41:67%, of the respondent said that consumption was synonymous with poverty. Meanwhile, 33.33% and 25% experienced low patronage and high price of the products respectively. It is recommended that there should be increased awareness on the nutritional content of the soybean product which should be embarked by the general public through trainings such as seminars, workshops and other fonnal educational means which will help in enhancing the acceptability of the product by consumers. The government should create jobs or subsidize the cost of production in order to make the product accessible to all, so as to meet its demand by creating conducive environment for processing. There should be a conducive environment for the production and enough market outlets where the products can be made available to the consumers by creating credit facilities.