A study on price spread and marketing efficiency of sweet orange in Marathwada region

Abstract

Sweet orange is one of the most important fruit crop in Marathwada region of Maharashtra State. The study aimed to identify the marketing channels, price spread, Marketing cost, marketing margin and marketing efficiency for sweet orange. About 160 farmers were selected from Aurangabad and Jalna district of Marathwada region to form the sample, 30 market intermediaries including pre-harvest contractors, wholesalers and retailers. Four marketing channels were identified. Fifty one per cent of the farmers sold their produce to wholesalers and pre-harvest contractors. Marketing cost was low in channel-I compared to all other channels and channel-I was more efficient than other channels.