HIGH PRICE FLUCTUATIONS: A MAJOR MARKETING PROBLEM AND A DETERRENT TO SMALLHOLDERS MARKET PARTICIPATION IN GHANA

High price fluctuations or volatilities in agricultural markets is one of the major marketing problems affecting smallholder farmers livelihood and market access in rural areas of Ghana. It is discovered to be a source of high transaction costs and risks and a deterrent to smallholder farmers market participation. This problem is associated with factors, such as poor enabling environment, lack of price standardisation system and lack of marketing information. The purpose of this study was to explore specific ways high price fluctuation impact smallholder farmers market access in Ghana to recommend possible ways of addressing this problem to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Mixed-method approach was adopted to gather data from 130 smallholder farmers, 35 key informants and 10 market agents (traders) in Bono East and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. The participants identified high price fluctuations as a major marketing problem affecting smallholder agriculture in the study areas. Also, it was discovered to be a source of high transaction costs and risks preventing market participation.