ABSTRACT
Chicken egg marketing in Nigeria faces challenges, leading to high prices, primarily due to transportation losses caused by egg breakages. This study investigates the economics of chicken egg marketing in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Several issues plague this industry, including poor pricing, economic instability leading to price fluctuations, inadequate capital, losses from breakages, high egg prices, low product demand, insufficient storage facilities, a subpar transportation system, and the presence of relatively small localized markets. These challenges make it difficult to organize and efficiently market chicken eggs. The study utilized a two-stage sampling procedure, selecting respondents from five markets in Oredo Local Government Area. Data were gathered from primary sources through structured questionnaires and secondary sources such as published articles, journals, textbooks, and the internet. A combination of descriptive and inferential statistics was employed for analysis. The findings from the field survey revealed that the majority of chicken egg marketers in the study area were females, and the marketing experience varied significantly. The cost and return analysis indicated that despite the challenges, the business showed profitability. Factors affecting profitability included transportation costs, loading and offloading expenses, ticket costs, storage costs, and nylon expenses. The primary problems faced by chicken egg marketers were breakages, bad roads, lack of storage facilities, and poor access to credit facilities. In conclusion, the profitability of chicken egg marketing is influenced by transportation and storage costs. To address these issues, marketers should consider forming cooperatives to reduce transportation costs. Proper handling during loading and offloading is crucial to minimize breakages, which remain a significant problem despite the fragile nature of chicken eggs. Recommendations for improvement include the formation of cooperatives, government and non-governmental support for improved marketing practices, effective pricing mechanisms, access to loans for marketers, advocacy for better roads, and the introduction of equipment to reduce manual labor and breakage. Additionally, the provision of storage facilities and training on proper handling are essential for the sustainable growth of the chicken egg marketing industry in Oredo Local Government Area.
