This paper is on the economic analysis of farm gate plantain marketing in Abia state,
Nigeria. The study adopted a multi-stage random sampling technique. However, three local
government areas of Bende, Ikwuano and Isiukwuato were purposively selected based on the
fact that they are the major producers of plantain in the state. Four communities were then
selected from the 3 LGAs. This gave a total of 12 communities. The next stage was the
selection of 5 farm families from each of the 12 communities, giving a total of 60
respondents. For the selection of the middlemen and consumers, three urban local
government areas of Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Aba North were selected
purposively. 10 wholesalers, retailers and consumers were also randomly selected from these
urban areas. This gave a total of 90 respondents. In all, 150 respondents were used for the
study. Data were obtained by the use of questionnaire and were later analyzed using
marketing margin and multiple regression. The result of the analysis showed that the margin
for retailers were more than those of the producers and wholesalers. Output price was found
to be positive and significant in determining profitability. Labour and fertilizer had negative
relationship with profitability. It was recommended that costs of inputs be reduced as well as
making information accessible to the producers