Post-Harvest Properties of Tomato and Effect on Its Marketing Efficiency

In this study the effect of post-harvest properties of tomato on its marketing efficiency was investigated by surveying 60 tomato marketers. Surveyed tomato marketers were purposively selected from two major tomato markets (Ogbegonogo and Igbodo markets) in Delta state, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from the respondents with the use of observation and interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using price correlation coefficient and shephered-futrel coefficient of marketing efficiency. From the result, the price correlation between the two markets was 0.7 indicating the presence of fairly high spatial price integration. However, inter seasonal price correlation coefficient of 0.4 implies the existence of weak inter seasonal price integration in the tomato marketing system. The Shephered-Futrel coefficient of marketing efficiency of 78.15% suggests that the level of marketing efficiency of tomatoes in the study area is low (21.8%). Further analysis of data revealed that profitability and hence efficiency of tomato marketers is significantly affected by post-harvest perishability in the study area. It is recommended that marketing infrastructures should be provided to improve post-harvest properties of tomato and its marketing efficiency.