Assessment of Market and Marketing System of Raw Camel Milk in Gursum District, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the milk market and the marketing chain in the Gursum district, Somali regional state. The research applied both quantitative and qualitative methods to clarify concepts, characteristics, descriptions, and counts. Data presented in the study are obtained from primary and secondary sources. The sample was taken from 3 purposely selected Kebeles. The participants in this study had a total sample size of 90 respondents, of which 45 were chosen from producers in rural areas and the other 45 from milk collecting centers. Using questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews from each kebele were conducted. The overall mean price of raw camel milk in one liter was (13.05±2) birr/liter in the wet season and (20.15±3.76) birr/liter in the dry season. According to the findings on milking transportation, 79 (87.75%) of the respondents transported plastic containers, 3 (3.3%) steel cans, 4 (4.4%) aluminum cans, and 4 (4.5%) traditional containers. About 48 (53.4%) of the milk processing equipment types used plastic containers, 35 (38.9%) used steel cans, and 7 (7.5%) used aluminum cans. The majority of respondents, or study participants, mentioned several milk constraints, with about 67 (74.45%) citing a lack of markets, 5 (5.55%) citing a low price for their goods, 6 (6.65%) citing a lack of suitable storage facilities, and 12 (13.35%) citing a lack of transportation.

According to the study's findings, the majority of participants said they traveled by donkey 75.6% of the time and carried their own bags 24.4% of the time. Milk collection centers, on the other hand, used vehicles to get to the town, and the cost of transportation was about 5 EB per 5 liters of milk for household producers and milk collection centers in the study area.