An Assessment of the Market Structure and Performance of Cassava Marketers in Cameroon

Market structure is one of the most important factors determining the efficiency of the marketing system. The study therefore examined the marketing of cassava in Cameroon. Primary data were collected from 326 cassava marketers operating in fifteen (15) markets from three (3) out of Cameroon’s ten (10) regions, namely the Centre, Littoral and West regions. Cassava traders were randomly sampled in each market. The study used descriptive statistics, the Gini coefficient and the Lorenz curve to determine the degree of market concentration in the study area, marketing efficiency was used to measure the performance of the cassava marketers. The findings show that majority 63% of the respondents were females, in the active age group of 20-65 years. The Findings equally shows that the Gini co-efficient was 0.76 and 0.79 for wholesalers and retailers respectively, indicating a highly concentrated market hence an oligopoly market structure. The study further revealed an average marketing efficiency of 14.20% and 87% for retailers and wholesaler respectively. To influence the dynamics of price on the consumers, it is necessary to set up policies that could improve availability and accessibility of cassava in markets. Keywords: Cameroon, Cassava, Gini coefficient, market structure, Performance