ASSESSMENT OF SHEA BUTTER MARKETING IN THREE MAJOR MARKETS IN ABEOKUTA

Shea butter (Vitellaria Paradoxa) Its economic value is investigated using both close and open-ended self-structure questionnaire to generate responses from the purposively randomly selected 100 respondents in the three major markets in Abeokuta. The test of hypothesis was carried out at 0.5 level of significance. This research study investigated the “Analysis of the Shea Butter Market Structure and Performance in three major Markets in Abeokuta Ogun State”. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. There were a total number of one hundred (100) respondents (shea producers/marketers) randomly selected from three major markets in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Purposive sampling was used to select three (3) major markets namely: Iberekodo, Kuto and Lafenwa) in Abeokuta. 30 respondents were randomly selected from Iberekodo and Kuto while 40 respondents were randomly selected in Lafenwa market being the largest market of all the three. Questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection. It was designed to elicit relevant responses on the variables of interest to the study. Data were analyzed using simple percentages, tables, F-test, and students T- test statistics to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings indicated among others that there was significant difference in Shea butter marketing structures among the three major markets (Iberekodo, Kuto and Lafenwa) in Abeokuta. Recommendations were suggested among others that first, the chiefs and elders of the communities should promulgate bye-laws against the free cutting down of live shea trees.