Spatial and Seasonal Price Variations of Fresh Tomato: Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

The degree of price variation of fresh tomato over space and time; and its effect on consumer welfare is not yet known in Nigeria. This study therefore examined the effect of spatial and seasonal price variations of fresh tomato marketing on the welfare of consumers in Nigeria. Primary data were collected with structured questionnaire from 240 randomly selected tomato marketers. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Finding showed that the mean price of fresh tomato per basket was N16,350 for minor markets and N12,450 for major markets. Test of hypothesis indicated a significant (p<0.05) spatial price variation. Further result indicated a significant (p<0.05) inter-seasonal price variation with a mean of N18,000/basket for off season and N6,400/basket for peak season. The result revealed that seasonal price variation (64.4%) is higher than spatial price variation (23.9%) in Nigeria. Regression result and factor analysis indicated that duration of product in store before sale, bargaining power of seller, patronage, packaging charges and transportation cost were the most significant determinant of fresh tomato price variation which affect the welfare of tomato consumers. Price variation exerts negative and significant (p<0.05) effect on consumers welfare through higher expenditure on consumption and low level of patronage (demand). We recommended that government should improve the rural road network to reduce transportation cost and spoilage of fresh tomato in Nigeria. 

Keywords

• Consumer welfare,Tomato market,Price variation,Seasonal,Spatial

Taze Domatesin Mekansal ve Mevsimsel Fiyat Varyasyonları: Nijerya Örneği

Öz

Taze domateslerin mekan ve zaman içindeki fiyat değişimlerinin derecesi; ve Nijerya'da tüketici refahı üzerindeki etkisi henüz bilinmemektedir. Bu nedenle, bu çalışma, taze domates pazarlamasının mekansal ve mevsimsel fiyat değişimlerinin, Nijerya'daki tüketicilerin refahı üzerindeki etkisini incelemiştir. Birincil veriler, rastgele seçilmiş 240 domates satıcısından yapılandırılmış anket ile toplanmıştır. Veriler, tanımlayıcı ve çıkarımsal istatistiksel araçlar kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Bulgu, sepet başına taze domates fiyatının küçük pazarlar için 16,350 N ve büyük pazarlar için 12,450 N olduğunu göstermiştir. Hipotez testi, anlamlı (p <0.05) bir mekansal fiyat değişimini göstermiştir. Diğer sonuçlar, sezon dışı sezon için fiyat farkı, sezon dışı sezon için ortalama 18.000  N / sepet ve yoğun sezon için 6.400 N / sepet olmak üzere önemli bir değişiklik göstermiştir. Sonuç olarak, Nijerya'da mevsimsel fiyat değişiminin (% 64.4) mekansal fiyat değişkeninden (% 23.9) daha yüksek olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Regresyon sonucu ve faktör analizi, satış öncesi mağazadaki ürünün süresinin, satıcının pazarlık gücünün, patronajın, paketleme ücretlerinin ve nakliye maliyetinin, domates tüketicilerinin refahını etkileyen taze domates fiyatlarındaki en önemli belirleyici faktör olduğunu göstermiştir. Fiyat değişimi, tüketim harcamalarının artması ve düşük hamle seviyesi (talep) yoluyla tüketicilerin refahı üzerinde olumsuz ve önemli (p <0.05) bir etkiye sahiptir. Nijerya'da nakliye maliyetini ve taze domates bozulmasını azaltmak için hükümetin kırsal yol ağını iyileştirmesi tavsiye edilebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• spatial,seasonal,price variation,tomato,market

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