The Sweet Orange Market in Nigeria, How Viable?

This study examined the viability of the sweet orange market in Nigeria using Kwara State, Nigeria as a case study. The study specifically estimated the distribution of net margins among the various marketing agents: wholesaler and retailer in the sweet orange market and identifies the constraints limiting the sweet orange commodity market. Data were collected from 160 sweet orange marketers; sixty-four wholesalers and ninety-six retailers surveyed across Kwara State. The marketing margin and marketing efficiency estimates were N25.1 per kg and 273.7 per cent respectively at the wholesaler end of the market while at the retailer end these estimates were N85.6 per kg and 232.3 per cent respectively. Problems limiting sweet orange marketing were found to include poor storage, poor assess to credit facilities and poor road infrastructures. The study therefore calls for the enhancement of storage techniques research for sweet orange and mobilization of marketers to join viable cooperatives so as to organize and fund their marketing activities.