ABSTRACT
This study examined the structure, conduct, and performance of the goat meat market in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of goat meat marketers, determine the structure of the goat meat market, determine the conduct of goat meat marketers, analyze the marketing efficiency of goat meat marketers, determine the factors affecting goat meat marketing performance, and identify the constraints goat meat marketers encounter in the study area. A two-stage sampling technique was employed for this study. Stage I involved the purposive selection of four markets based on the high population of goat meat marketers and volume of trade. These markets include Oba market, New Benin market, Ekiosa market, and New market while Stage II involved the random selection of 112 registered goat meat marketers from the four markets. Data were generated from the respondents using a well-structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, Gini coefficient, multiple regression analysis, and marketing efficiency. The results showed that 47% of the goat meat marketers in the study area were in their active age as the mean was found to be 38years. 52% were females, and a high percentage of them (87.5%) were married. Regarding educational level, 70.5% of goat meat marketers in the area had at least secondary level of education, indicating that they had a moderate level of education. The Gini coefficient computed was 0.54, which indicated a moderate level of inequality. The multiple regression analysis showed that selling price, buying price, rent of shop, and handling charges were significant variables that affected profit. The marketing efficiency is 122%, which implies that the marketers covered the cost of marketing and also generated a profit margin above 100%, implying that goat meat marketing is efficient. The results further showed that the major constraint is the high cost of transportation. This study recommended that investments be made in storage facilities, such as cold storage rooms, for each market in the study area. This will help extend product shelf life and reduce losses. This can be achieved by forming cooperative society to procure the necessary storage facilities
