Transport costs component of retail prices of foodstuffs in Ghana – the case of Kumasi markets

Abstract

The transport costs component of retail prices of plantain (Musa spp.), yam (Dioscorea spp.), maize (Zea mays) and cassava (Manihot esculenta) in Kumasi markets have been studied. The commodities were transported from the hinterlands over distances ranging between 120 km (for plantain and cassava) to 220 km (for yam). Whereas transportation of foodstuffs over short distances was mainly by head portage, conveyance from off-farm gate links to markets covering long distance haulage was dominated by cargo trucks and mini-buses. The transport costs in relation to the retail prices for the commodities were below 15 %, except for cassava which was high (35%). The transport costs of the commodities were influenced by the mode of transport, haulage distance, economic value, weight, packaging, and perishability of the commodity.

Journal of Applied Science and Technology Vol. 10(1&2) 2005: 117-122