Structure and Efficiency of Crayfish Marketing In Major Markets in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzes the structure and efficiency of marketing of crayfish in Nsidung beach, Watt and IkaIkaOqua markets in Calabar. Primary data were obtained from fifty (50) respondents in the three (3) markets using questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The organizational structure is perfectly competitive with some oligopolistic characteristics. The crayfish retail margin averaged 18.98%, 28.87%, and 32.48% while the wholesale margin averaged 18.95%, 29.82% and 35.31% for Nsidung beach, Watt, and IkaIkaOqua markets respectively. Profit analysis in the three (3) markets indicates thatIka-IkaOqua market has a higher profit (N3,500) compared to Nsidung beach (N3,000) and Watt markets (N2,600). Nsidung beach market was 83.72% efficient, while Watt and IkaIkaOqua markets were 85.77% and 86.00% efficient respectively. The study recommends that the marketing efficiency of crayfish product could be increased if restrictions in membership imposed by the crayfish market unions in the three (3) markets are reduced to attract more traders into the crayfish business