Major Red Beans Marketing Channels in Halaba Special District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is among the top pulse producing countries in the world. Pulse occupies 11 percent of the total grain production of the country and second most important in the national diet next to cereals. The crop occupies the third position in Ethiopian export earnings next to coffee and oil crops (Mulugeta, 2010). Production volume of pulse crop is increasing in the country while only 13 percent of the total produces joining market in the presence of increasing demands both at local and international markets (ibid). In Ethiopia common beans (red and white) production is increasing due to its increased domestic and international demands. In the country common beans solely produced by smallholder farmers and the production was increased from 138 thousand tons to 463 thousand tons in 2012. The country earned 19 million USD and 95.3million USD in 2005 and 2012 respectively from common beans export market. In the country the value chain of beans remains underdeveloped and hence smallholder farmers and traders earn a low share from the commodity (FAO, 2015).