Market Structure of Food Markets in Haiti

Abstract

Food marketing in traditional markets was studied to determine the factors influencing market structure and performance. The market research involved farm and market price data collection in 13 primaryand secondary marketsin the Northwestern region of Haiti. Supplemental surveys on marketplace description, market participant information, food processing and transportation, and producer information were conducted. A number of institutional and environmental factors such as quality of roads, underemployed labor, and fragmented undefined marketing channels may have affected market efficiency. Cultural and financial factors also influenced market participants' behavior and undermined the performance and true nature of the structure of the markets. Though there were signs pointing towards pure competition, environmental and institutional were the major factors influencing market structure.