Hedonic analysis of attributes and factors affecting small ruminant price in Benin, West Africa

Abstract

The demand for small ruminants is increasing, but livestock production is not very market oriented. Understanding buyers' preferences allows breeders to orient their production and make more profit. This research aimed to determine the attributes of small ruminants and other specific factors that explain price variations of small ruminants in ordinary period. Twenty-one markets were selected using stratified sampling. Data were collected in these markets on September 2020 from 432 small ruminant transactions between sellers and buyers and analysed with the hedonic regression model. Results showed that the price of goats purchased for slaughter and breeding were respectively 9.4 % and 7.2 % higher than those bought for trade. At the same time, when sheep were purchased for breeding, consumption and catering, their prices were respectively 14.5 %, 10.3 % and 9.4 % higher than those purchased for trade. The attributes weight, age (2–4 years old), sex (female), coat colour (white), body condition (good), breed (sahelian breeds for sheep and djallonke breed for goats) and absence of horn determined significantly and positively the small ruminant's price. In addition to these attributes, the small ruminant prices varied according to type of market and seller, but the buyer had less control over these factors. Thus, it is important to improve attributes preferred by buyers through training for breeders on the control of small ruminant reproduction. These attributes should also be considered when developing strategies to improve the small ruminant sector to transform traditional livestock farming into market-oriented livestock farming. Facilitating access to information through the establishment of functional market information systems will enable breeders to move towards market-oriented livestock systems.

Keywords

• Goats
• Sheep
• Trait valuation
• Market preferences
• Implicit price
• Livestock marketing