Demand Analysis of Frozen Chicken and Fish in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Resumo

This study described the socio-economic characteristics of the consumers of frozen chicken and fish; examined their buying habits; identified and estimated the factors influencing the demand and determined the cross-price elasticity of the demand for these commodities in Ekiti State. The analysis was based on purposively selected 60 frozen chicken and 60 frozen fish consumers in Ekiti State as respondents to structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The results show that the mean age of the respondents was 49 years while Muslims, Christians and traditional religion adherents consumed frozen chicken and fish in almost equal proportions. The ease of preparation was the main reason for purchasing these food items. The prevalent habits exhibited by consumers were: buying the quantity needed at a time, making advance payment and making purchase within the first week of receiving salary. The own price per kg, household disposable income of consumers and own price per kg of substitute were the significant (P=0.05) determinants of demand. The demand for both commodities was price- and income-inelastic suggesting that the demand increased as the income of the buyers increased which implies that they were “superior” goods. Also the cross-price elasticity indicated that they were substitutes. Thus, the results from this study could be explored as a framework to the formulation of food policies aimed at improving consumer welfare.