Consumer preferences for quality characteristics along the cowpea value chain in Nigeria, Ghana and Mali
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Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley InterScience
Abstract
The production and trade of cowpea is a growing business in West Africa. But a better
understanding of consumer preferences is essential to market development. The objective of
the study was to determine the impact of cowpea grain quality characteristics on market price.
The data for the study were collected from markets in Nigeria, Ghana, and Mali. Hedonic
pricing methods provide a statistical estimate of premiums and discounts. The results
indicated that cowpea consumers in Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria are willing to pay a premium
for large cowpea grains. Bruchid damage is not statistically significant in any market. The
impact of price on other cowpea quality characteristics such as skin color and texture and eye
color vary locally. Implications for development of the cowpea value chain are as follows:
(a) researchers should identify cost-effective ways to increase cowpea grain size because
larger grain are preferred and (b) serving local markets requires a portfolio of grain skin
and eye color and skin texture combinations. [EconLit citations: Q130]. r 2009 Wiley
Periodicals, Inc.
Description
Research article
Keywords
Consumer preferences, Cowpea value chain, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali