Dairy Products Marketing Systems and its Constraints in Gimbi District, West Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Gimbi district, West Wollega zone to characterize dairy products marketing systems and to determine and prioritize common dairy products marketing constraints. 130 household respondents were selected based on ownership of dairy cows and dairy products marketing potential and viability. Accordingly, traditionally processed butter, whole milk and fermented whole milk are marketable dairy products, of which butter is the major dairy product sold by farmers. From the result, only informal dairy products marketing system through different channels were practiced. Low milk quantity, distance to the markets, high cost of transport and spoilage were the major constraints of dairy products marketing systems in the study area. As market is the driving force to the development of this sector, responsible stakeholders should not only work towards dairy production and productivity of cattle but also towards dairy marketing options.