Marketing of Brush-Tailed Porcupine (Atherurure africanus) Meat in Côte d'Ivoire, Characterization of Sellers and Profitability of Trade in Abidjan

The aim of this work was to characterize brush-tailed porcupine or African atherure (Atherurus africanus) meat trade in the markets of Abidjan District. The study was conducted between February 2021 and January 2022. The data were collected with 46 seller in three markets of Abidjan. These were “Marché Gouro de Yopougon” market (MGY), “marché Gouro d'Adjamé” market (MGA) and “Marché Abobo Gare” market (GA). Visits and interviews were carried out at morning each week. Results showed that all sellers in 3 markets were female and Ivorian (100%). These sellers came from four cultural groups. Akan Group represented more than half of sellers (54%). They were 26%, 44% and 50% higher than Gouro, Krou and Mandé group respectively (P ˂ 0.01). Merchants aged from 18 to 61 years. Sellers aged from 25 to 40 were 54.35%. This rate was 24 and 39% higher than 18-25 and >40 age respectively (P ˂0.01). Unmarried vendors were about 3 times higher than married ones (72% vs 28%; P = 0.01). A rate of 52% of atherure meat traders had never been to school. They were 30% higher than those who completed primary school in Côte d'Ivoire (P ˂ 0.01). They were also 39% more numerous than those who had completed high school and university. Atherure’s trade had generated a turnover of 189 million for 9000 carcasses sold. This meat was the most sold after the grasscutter. None animals were farmed. They were poached. Most of animals (28.4%) came from the forest area of Lôh-Djiboua region.