THE DEMAND FOR BEEF IN WESTERN ZONE OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyzed the demand for beef in western zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria. It specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of beef consumers; estimated the effects of socio-economic characteristics of the respondents on the demand for beef; described the pattern of beef demand; described the spatial and temporal price variability of beef; determined the factors affecting the demand for beef; and identified and described the constraints affecting the demand for beef in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 341 respondents from the study area. Out of the 341 questionnaire administered to the sampled households, 335 copies were correctly filled and eligible for data analysis; giving a response rate of 98%. Also, 10 beef marketers were randomly selected from the major markets in the study area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed a mean age of 43 years among the respondents, with an average monthly income of N23,575 and a mean monthly expenditure on food items of N24,416. The coefficients of household size, education, and monthly income positively influenced the quantity of beef demanded at P<0.01 level of significance; and age of the household head inversely influenced the quantity of beef demanded. Furthermore, 70% of the respondents consumed beef frequently and beef was rated as the most (67.5%) preferred, egg (35.2%) and fish (26.3%) products. The spatial and temporal price variability analysis showed fair level of fluctuations with a rise in price of beef in 2019. Beef prices were volatile especially in Birshi market which had the highest price value of ₦1,800 per kilogram. The price of beef, household expenditure on other food items, and distance to the market significantly (P<0.01) reduced the quantity of beef demanded; and price of mutton significantly and positively (P<0.01) affected the demand for beef. Low monthly income (-0.843), preference for substitutes (0.764) and low nutritive value (0.589) were the major constraints to beef demand among households in the study area. The study concluded and recommended that increase in households’ income and reducing beef prices would be an effective strategy to increase the quantity of beef demanded, as it will uplift households’ relative purchasing power.