Market structure and performance of bitter kola (<i>Garcinia kola</i>) in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined the market structure and performance of Bitter kola (Garcina kola) in the Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling method was used to select ninety- two (92) marketers of G. kola from the five markets in the Ibadan metropolis. Data was collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, Gini coefficient, and Multiple regression. The result showed that 97.3% were females, a majority (40.2%) of the marketers were within the age bracket of 51-60 years. The majority (76.1%) were married with an average household size of 5 members. The Gini coefficient, 0.9, indicates that the Garcinia kola market is inclined towards the imperfect market structure. Regression analysis revealed that household size (p<0.05), primary education (p<0.05), and secondary education (p<0.1) had a significant influence on the efficiency of Garcinia kola marketing in the study area. Garcinia kola marketing is a very viable and profitable enterprise in the study area. Inadequate finance was identified as the most serious constraint to Garcinia kola marketing. There is a need to create more market opportunities and accrue benefits along the marketing chain while providing credit facilities to the marketers of Garcina kola.