Profitability Analysis of Onion (Allium Cepa(L)) Marketing in Gusau Central Market, Zamfara State

The study analysed the profitability of onion marketing in Gusau central market, Zamfara State. Data for the study were obtained from primary sources via a simple ramdom sampling technique. 80 onion marketers registered with onion marketers association of Nigeria were selected for the study. Therefore, a total of 80 respondents were interviewed and a structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Analytical tools used to analyse the data were descriptive statistics, Marketing margin, rate of return ratio and net marketing margin.This study revealed that onion marketing was predominantly dominated by married males. With regards to marketing margin analysis the study revealed that onion marketing was profitable with a margin of N745/50kg and N425/50kg at peak and off-peak period were realised. The net marketing margin of N1170/50kg indicating high profit. The study recommended that there is need for onion marketer to create a more community base storage facility that would accommodate large number of onions and also serves as a measures to be taken to avoid the loss of onion at marketing stage. However, Onion marketer’s association leaders should be very active and partner with financial institutions so as to easily have access to loans at reduced interest rate. This would help the onion marketers to have more capital base and in turn improve their business and their living standard.