Assessment of Market Characteristics, Price Determinant Factors and Causes of Skin and hide Rejection in Alamata, Maichew, Adigrat and Sheraro Districts of Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia

Skin and hide significantly contribute to the domestic leather industries. A cross sectional study was conducted in Alamata, Maichew, Adigrat and Sheraro districts of Tigray to assess market characteristics and causes of skin and hide rejection. Data were collected from randomly selected respondents (n=240) comprising of butchery houses, restaurants, hotels and individual users by pre-tested structured questionnaires, focused group discussion with key informants from the above mentioned target groups and personal observation. The overall mean of animals slaughtered per household per annum was 4.66 ±0.99 (sheep), 27.58±6.07 (goats) and 17.97±5.24 (cattle). It was revealed that, 74.2% of the respondents were selling skin and hide to generate income. Skin and hide were sold to wholesalers by 45.8% of the respondents, while the rest were sold to other actors involved in the skin and hide marketing chain. The mean selling price of intact skins and hides was 18.385±0.552 birr (sheep skin), 18.173 ±0.450 birr (goat skin) and 45.37±2.395 birr (cattle hide). However, the mean selling price of partially rejected skin and hide was 8.315±0.647 (sheep skin), 8.358±1.588 (goat skin) and 14.543 ±1.820 birr (cattle hide). Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found in the selling price of intact and partially rejected skin and hide. Knife cut (58.8%), putrefaction (27.5%) and diseases such as sheep and goat pox, mange mites, and lump skin disease (13.3%) were the major causes of rejection for skin and hide. Therefore, providing trainings and extension services to butchery houses, restaurants, hotels and individual users is substantial to minimize defects and rejection of skin and hide, and improve the economic gain of the producers.