| Summary: | This study on trade enhancement Characteristics of sweet (dessert) banana fruit and
estimation of transaction costs was conducted in Okigwe Metropolis of Imo State,
Nigeria. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 80 respondents
comprising 40 dessert banana traders (panelists) and 40 dessert banana consumers.
Monthly trade data was collected from the respondents using pretested semi-structured
questionnaire during dry season (November-April) and rain season (May-October) for
the year 2012. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis; with
transaction costs estimated as ex ante and ex post components. Hedonic pricing
regression model was used in determining buyer socioeconomic/banana attributes that
influenced willingness to pay price. Fruit characteristics that significantly enhanced
trade of sweet banana in descending order were taste (3.83), fruit variety (3.57), and
fruit skin colour (3.50). Other significant factors were level of ripeness (3.49),
availability in off-season (3.46), fruit size (3.20) and cleanliness (3.20). Mean ex-ante
transaction costs for sweet banana was N77, 800.00/trader and its mean ex-post
transaction cost was N25,080.00/trader. We recommended that traders should take
advantage of Global Mobile System (GSM) to overcome information barriers on banana
trading. Government and health institutions should intensify consumer safety education,
and encourage horticultural unions to heighten postharvest monitoring of stored and
displayed dessert banana fruits to enforce observance of ripening standards.
|
|---|