Grading and pricing of minilivestock (edible palm weevil larvae) marketed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated types, grades and prices of edible palm weevil larvae in Port Harcourt. Sixty (60) respondents were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires in addition to interviews of five key informants for data on larvae types, grades, weight and prices. Similar data was collected from food vendors selling stewed chicken meat. Larvae and stewed chicken meat weights were sampled using a battery-powered digital scale. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results indicated that two types of larvae sold include Rhychophorous ferrugineus and Oryctes nasicornis. R. ferrugineus larvae were the most supplied, demanded, sold and preferred by consumers. O. nasicornis larvae weighed more than R. ferrugineus. A stick of R. ferrugineus sold for N 116.67.00 ± 3.33, while a stick of O. nasicornis sold for N 100.00 ± 2.99. One kilogramme of R. ferrugineus was costlier than that of O. nasicornis. R. ferrugineus larvae was sold in three grades (large, medium and small) and sold for different prices by weight. Price of a kilogramme of larvae (N 6,927.00 ± 48.04) was higher (p<0.05) than that of stewed chicken meat (N 2,040.00 ± 11.22) by 237.75 %. The study concludes that sellers of R. ferrugineus could make more money selling per stick while buyers could gain by buying per worm. Also, consumers prefer and could pay more for R. ferrugineus though there is no financial or weight advantage in preferring medium to small grade.

Keywords: Minilivestock, Unconventional animal protein, Edible palm weevil larvae, Grade, Price