Assessment of domestic trade barriers in South-East Nigeria: The case of yam
Date
2025-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Abstract
The study investigated domestic trade barriers in South East Nigeria, focusing on yam trade. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of yam traders in the region, characterize the barriers to yam trade (tariff and non-tariff barriers), determine the effects of trade barriers on the volume of yam traded, estimate the profit of yam traders, and determine the effect of trade barriers on the profit of yam traders. Multistage, purposive and random sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 respondents via structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, profit model, and Ordinary Least Squares Multiple regression. The descriptive statistics results showed the traders' mean ages in the region was 47 years and that 61% of them were male. Most of the traders were married (73%) and had attained up to secondary education. These traders maintained a mean household size of 5 persons and had been in the yam trading business for an average of 13 years. and the mean volume of yam traded across the south east was 1.8tons. The study categorized trade barriers into tariff barriers (TBs) and non-tariff tariff barriers (NTBs) alongside their associated costs. The result of the effect of trade barriers on the volume of yam traded in South East showed that quantity demanded (P< 0.1), municipal permit (P< 0.1), illegal charges (P<0.05), roadblock (P< 0.05) were significant to the volume of yam traded. The result of the extent of trade barriers affecting the volume of yam traded showed that in the south east, a total of 16747kg of yam traded and barriers such as roadblocks, produce charges, municipal permit, security charges, illegal charges and tollgates affected the volume of yam traded. There was a 12% return on investment of the yam traders in the region. This means that yam trading in the region is very profitable. The result of the effect of trade barriers on the profit of yam traders showed that tollgate (P< 0.1), produce charge (P< 0.05), roadblocks (P<0.1), and illegal charge (P<0.1) were significant to the profit of yam traders. The study recommends that the government invest in better transportation infrastructure, like road networks and rail systems, to enhance yam trading efficiency. Policymakers should also pursue reforms to address trade barriers especially those barriers that greatly affect the volume of yam traded and profits of the traders in the area.
Description
This thesis was submitted for the award of Master of Science (MSc.) Degree in Agricultural Economics (Agricultural Marketing and Cooperative option)
Keywords
Yam, non-tariff barriers, domestic trade, Department of Agricultural Economics, trade barriers
Citation
Eze, J. A. (2025). Assessment of domestic trade barriers in South-East Nigeria: The case of yam [Unpublished Master's Thesis]. Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria