Analysis of Conduct and Performance of Dried Fish Market in Maiduguri Metropolis of Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed conduct and performance of dried fish markets in Maiduguri Metropolis of Borno State, Nigeria. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire. Three (3) major dried fish markets were purposely selected out of the seven (7) markets in the study area to reflect areas where dried fish is predominantly sold. A total of 100 respondents from the three (3) markets were randomly selected for the study. Descriptive statistics and budgetary techniques were used as analytical tools. The finding of the study reveals that (44.82%) and (33.33%) were obtained as market margin from sales of Grade C and Grade A dried fish respectively. The result of marketing cost and returns also reveals that capital invested constitutes (96.08%) of the total fixed cost, while transportation accounts for (30.55%) of the total variable cost. The result of market return (net returns) reveals that N25, 013,440.04 was obtained as net returns per week. The finding on marketing efficiency reveals (67.33%) was obtained per cartoons of dried fish sold. The result further indicates the efficiency ratio of 95.54 which is positive. The result of the market conduct reveals that about (40%) of the marketers get information on market situation through personal contact, (72%) price haggling, while (56%) said prices were set by both the sellers and the agents. It was recommended that local fish marketers should be organized into cooperative groups and government should adequately provide infrastructural facilities such as good roads and market facilities to dried fish marketers in the study area.

Key words: Market Conduct, Market Performance, Dried Fish Market, Borno State,  Nigeria