Marketing Channels of Different Timber Species in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka

The present study was conducted in Uttar Kannada district, the major timber producing district of north Karnataka. In timber trade, traders and middlemen are playing major role in marketing and consumers are sheer price follower. For this purpose three major timber depots, 5 big timber merchants, 5 saw millers, 5 retailers were selected from the study area. Two major channels were identified. Five species having different prices were selected for the analysis. Channel one included only one intermediary i. e. , Big Timber Merchant and channel two included two intermediaries i. e. , Saw Miller and Retailers. Total marketing cost was highest in channel-II. Producers share in consumer’s rupee was highest in channel-I in all the species and marketing efficiency was also highest in channel- I as compared to channel-II.