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Abstract
The study evaluated the marketing channel efficiency and choice analysis of beef in Imo state, identify the marketing channels, assess the determinants of choice of marketing channels and identify the constraints faced by small-holder beef traders in the study area. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select thirty-two (32) wholesalers, seventy-five (75) retailers and thirteen (13) Speculators. Descriptive statistics, Multinomial logit regression. Results showed that majority of the beef traders 98% were males, with the mean age of 43 years and mean household size of 4 persons. The result further outlines the prominent marketing channels in area to include Ranches – Slaughterhouse 72.8%, Slaughterhouse – Retailers 70.8%, Retailers – Consumers 67.8% and Slaughter – Wholesalers 58.5%. The result of multinomial results on the determinants of choice of marketing channels shows that the combine effects of age and access to market information had a positive influence on choice of marketing channels while the combine effects of level of education, household size and cost storage facilities had a negative influence on their choice of market channels. High cost of transportation, price fluctuations, bad roads and high market charges are the predominant constraints to small-holder beef traders in the study area. The Government and policy makers should implement policies that will improve market infrastructure, construct good roads, and cut down some of the unnecessary charges which pose a constraint to beef marketing in the study area. Efforts to keep agricultural prices stable all year round through price stabilization policy, traders’ co-operatives should dialog with government and market leaders to find possible ways to reduce the market charges and price fluctuations. Government should provide lasting solution to ensure the safe transportation of agricultural produces in Nigeria.