Analysis of the Determinants and Profitability of Maize Value Chain in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract— The study analysed the determinants and profitability of maize value chain in Southeast, Nigeria. The study used primary data collected from four hundred and eighty (480) actors spread across Anambra and Ebonyi states of southeast, Nigeria. Data collection lasted from January 2025 to June 2025 and covered the 2023/2024 production season. The results of the study show that the average total revenue realized by maize seed suppliers, producers, processors and marketers respectively were N477,280.08, N3,420,276, N619,554.8 and N1,385,393.2 per ton with a total variable cost of N36,795.0, N228,777, N111,964 and N397,565 respectively and total fixed cost of N6,702, N18,890, N3,885.0 and N17,788 respectively. The maize actors made a net income of N433,783, N3,172,609 N503,705 and N970,040 respectively. The profitability index estimated are 9.97, 12.81, 4.35 and 2.34 respectively indicating that for every N1 invested by the respective actors yielded N9.97, N12.81, N4.35 and N2.34 to maize seed suppliers, producers, processors and marketers respectively. The results further show that maize seed producers contributed (2.03%) to the value chain while the marketers, seed suppliers and processors contributed (0.62%), (0.36%) and (0.33%) respectively. The determinants of maize seed supply are age, marital status, household size, educational level, years of experience, input cost, transportation cost, preservation and products costs, while gender, marital status, educational level, farm size, labour costs, input cost and product cost are the determinants of maize seed production. The determinants of maize seed processing are gender, age, household size, educational level, input cost and product cost while age, educational level, years of marketing experience, membership of marketing association, transportation cost, input cost and product cost are the determinants of maize seed marketing.