Costs and Returns Analysis of Maize Wholesaling in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria

The study examined the costs and returns of maize wholesaling in Gombe metropolis, Nigeria. Using questionnaire, a time series data were collected from 120 randomly sampled traders and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and net farm income analyses. Results showed that 99.1%, 98.2% and 65.4% of sampled traders were male, married and farmers respectively. Similarly, their average age, marketing experience, household size and capital level were 39.5 years, 12.6 years, 9 persons and N 422, 500.00 respectively. Further, it was found that respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics were significantly correlated with one another except between education and capital level. Furthermore, the marketing margin, net income and return per each Naira invested were found to be N503.84, N227.00 per 100 Kg and 0.06 respectively, while the efficiency value was 181.99%. Finally, while maize marketing in the study area was found to be profitable and efficient, there is need for further improvement, such as in the area of female involvement.