Seasonality in Market Prices of Livestock Products in Ibadan Metropolis

Abstract

The myriads ofproblems confronting the agricultural sector in general and the livestock industy in particular is
hardly smfrom the i$ect of efficient marketing structures for its products especially in relation to price behaviour
over time. This study thus examined the ;end of seasonality in the market prices of some selected livestock products
in Ibadan Metropolis. Time series data on monthly prices of beef, c h i c k , egg and milk which spanned a period of
seventy - two months (1992 - 1997) were analyzed using a dis-aggregated time trend analysis.
Results showed a high degree offluctuations and a general increase in prices. Seasonal and a general trend
analysis showed that highest prices were recordedfor these products during seasons of major festivities such as
Christmas and Eid-el-kabir. The study also revealed pronounced cyclical and irregular price behaviour.
Therefore, since prices are directly or indirectly afected by market, structures particularly transportation and
storage, improved marketing structure in general and transportation aids, storage facilities in particular are
recommended in order to stabilize livestock prices.