Comparative Analysis of the Profitability of Major Value-added Activities Along the Pineapple Value Chain in Ghana

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the profitability of sampled pineapple farmers, processors, and marketers in Ghana, which will help to assess how these actors optimize available resources to generate profits and achieve production efficiency. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used with interview schedules as the data collection instruments. The sample size was 320, 66, and 169, pineapple farmers, processors, and marketers respectively. The study found that pineapple production and processing were profitable, but marketing was not. The results showed a significant difference in the profit share of the group actors, highlighting that the profit share of each actor along the pineapple value chain is different. The results also showed that income, capital, and planting materials were the main determinants of farmers' profits. On the other hand, capital, pineapples, and packaging materials were the predictors of processors' profits. While transport, revenue, and loading and unloading costs predicted the marketer's profit. Based on these findings, the study recommended that NGOs and other partner agencies promote the pineapple industry in various ways to reduce poverty by providing credit facilities to actors to increase their productivity, profitability, and sustainability.