EFFECTS OF POST-HARVEST LOSSES ON MARKETING EFFICIENCY AMONG TOMATO TRADERS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Ajewole, O.C. and Aruleba, S.A.
Ajewole, O.C.: Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Ekiti State University Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
Aruleba, S.A.: Department of Agriculture, University of Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
This study examined the effects of post-harvest losses on marketing efficiency among tomato traders in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 160 tomato traders across four major tomato-marketing Local Government Areas in the state. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Information was collected on the traders’ socio-economic characteristics, marketing activities, and the extent of losses experienced during trading operations. Descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier analysis, and correlation analysis were employed to analyse the data. The findings showed that tomato trading was largely undertaken by economically active individuals with an average age of about 41 years, while women formed the majority of market participants. Although most traders had some level of formal education, access to critical productive resources such as credit facilities and cold storage infrastructure remained limited. The study revealed considerable (18.7%) post-harvest losses within the tomato marketing chain, indicating serious economic consequences for traders and market performance. Transportation accounted for the highest proportion of losses (8.5%), while sorting and grading accounted for least losses (1.9%). Factors such as poor road conditions, prolonged transport time, inadequate packaging, absence of cold storage, and poor handling practices intensified spoilage. The stochastic frontier results showed that increased trading volume, longer travel distance, extended transport duration, and prolonged storage significantly increased post-harvest losses. In contrast, education, access to credit, cold storage facilities, and improved packaging reduced inefficiency. Marketing efficiency remained low (0.42), and a strong negative relationship (r = −0.67) confirmed that higher post-harvest losses significantly reduced marketing efficiency. The study recommends investment in storage infrastructure, transportation improvement, trader training, and better access to finance to improve marketing efficiency.
Keywords: Post-harvest losses, marketing efficiency, tomato traders, stochastic frontier, food supply chain