JOURNAL OF CURRENT DISCOURSE AND RESEARCH (JCDR)

Economics of Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix Dactylifera l.) Marketing in Selected Cities of Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated the economics of date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) marketing in selected cities of Southwestern Nigeria, including Abeokuta, Akure, and Ado-Ekiti. Data were collected through the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire and interviews with 95 date palm fruit marketers in the study area. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The majority (58.00%) of the respondents were below 30 years of age, and 82.00% were male, with 94.00% being married. Most marketers (75.00%) had no formal education, and the Hausa ethnic group dominated the trade, accounting for 67.00% of the respondents. The use of date palm fruit as a sweetener indicates that it is primarily (100%) used for Tiger nut drinks. The study revealed that the marketing of date palm fruit involved wholesalers, retailers and multiple middlemen, which negatively impacted profitability. The average gross margin per annum per marketer was N246,560.22 with a gross margin ratio of 0.62, indicating a profitable venture despite the challenges. Socio-economic factors influencing marketers' income included age and gender, which were statistically significant (p<0.1). Transportation cost was identified as the major challenge, followed by preservation issues and the monopolistic control of the market by Hausa marketers. The study concluded that date palm fruit marketing has significant economic potential in Southwestern Nigeria; however, market expansion and profitability are hindered by the current marketing structure. Recommendations include establishing central wholesale markets to improve market access and encourage broader market participation across all tribes.