ABSTRACT.

This study investigated the economics of palm oil marketing in Abia State. The study aimed at determining the socio-economic characteristics of the middlemen. the marketing channels, and marketing margins. the study area was Abia State, wherein some ol the palm grooves Nigeria arc located. Three L.G.A'S were randomly selected out of the 17 Local Government Area in i-\hia State. The area covered ,include Umuahia, Aba and Bende. Three (3) L.G.A'S were selected three different markets studied that ticl udes 63 respondents, 33 Consumers, l5 Wholesalers and 14 Retailers respectively giving a total of' I 90 questionnaires were studied throughout the collection of data, with purposive sampling method used to select the i.e 5P° n ci C ut. Roth primary and secondary data were used in accomplishing the research work. The primary data were obtained through well-structured questionnaire returned by the respondents, while secondary data were sourced from texts, journals, and other research works. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the fctors that affects the supply of' palm oil of wholesalers. The semi-log was chosen as the lead equation. lcsu It revealed that transportation was statistically signi flcant. lhe marketing margin for both the wholesalers and the retailers was computed. which are 2 1 % and 20% respectively. Ihe marketing channel was a so (leterill i ned in I he si udv. lie ii mj or cotist ra tilts faCed by the traders 11(21 udes, bad roads. lack of' ade1uaie capital and lugli cost of transportation among others. Final lv. pal iii oil marketing contributed to the economic growth the state. therefore, it is recommended that, government should rehabilitate feeder roads and advance loans to tile pal ill 01 I marketers in Abi a State.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page

Tittle page

Certification

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Abstract V

Table of contents Vi

[.1st of figures vii

I.ist of tables

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• 1Background  Information

1 .2 Statement of Researc11em

1.3 Objectives of thcudy 5

I .4 .Justi I icalion of th 6

CiIAP'IER TWO: 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.! Origin ot Oil Pal iii 7-8

2.2 Marketing of Palm Oil in Nigeria 8-9

2.3 Pal in ( )i I Pioducli on and (onsumption in A bi a State 9-lU

2.4 Palm Oil Marketing in Abia State 10-11

2.5 Marketing of Other Agricultural Products 11-12

2.6 The Ma1l\ctiilg Cost

2.7 N'larketing F1'ficiency

2.8 Iv1arkei in N!Iai'ain

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Study Area

3.2 Suinpl ipibccdutc

3.3 Data Collection Techniques

3.4 Methods of Data Anal\:SIS

CHAPTER FOUR: 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.

4. I l'he Socio-economic Characteristics of the Respondents

4.2 Effects of Regression Estimate ol supply functions

4.3 Marketing Channels, Supply Elasticity and Margins

4.4 Problems of' Palm Oil Marketing in Abia State

4.5CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY

RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

Appendix 1: Regression Results

Appeno ix II: Quest i onna i 'c.