Access to Export Market for Mango Farmers in the Lower Manya District of Ghana

Abstract

This study assessed accessibility to export market for mango farmers in the Lower Manya district of Ghana. It looked at the marketing outlets used, the major buyers, farmer ability to meet buyer requirements and the effect of farm and operational factors on ability of farmers to access or participate in export markets. Data for the study was collected using structured questionnaire covering the operational activities during the 2013/20014 farming year. The data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics, involving means and frequencies; t-testing and regression using the SPSS version 16. It was observed that 99% of the farmers used multiple marketing outlets to sell their mangoes. Many farmers sold their produce from the farm gate than through the other outlets, whiles more produce was sold through central markets than through the other outlets. Retailers bought mangoes from more farmers than the other categories of buyers, whiles exporters bought more volumes than the other buyers. A greater proportion of the mangoes (62%) were sold locally although about 64% of the farmers have access to export market. Volume was the most important and the most difficult buyer requirement to meet. The number of outlets where mangoes are sold, and the number buyer categories to whom mangoes are sold to, have significant effect on access and participation in export market.

Keywords: Mango, market access, participation, marketing outlets, export market, buyer requirements