Market chain analysis of myrrh in southeastern Ethiopia

Aim of the study: To investigate myrrh production and marketing channels in the El-Weyni district of Ethiopia’s Somali Region, identify the roles and relationships of market participants, analyze market structure and practices, and determine factors influencing household-level myrrh supply. Area of the study: The research was conducted in El-Weyni district, an area with substantial but underutilized potential for non-timber forest products (NTFP), particularly gums and resins. Material and methods: Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a household survey of 117 randomly selected households. Qualitative data were summarized descriptively, while quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Main results: The findings revealed that myrrh production is primarily motivated by cash income generation. Average annual income from myrrh was USD 209.97 per household, ranging from USD 53.39 to USD 772.31. Annual production varied between 7 kg and 90 kg, with an average of 23.6 kg per household. Three major oligopolistic marketing channels were identified. Family size, access to market information, and distance to market significantly influenced myrrh supply, while market information access was generally limited. Research highlights:The study recommends promoting cooperative formation, introducing improved tapping techniques, and strengthening value chain development to enhance bargaining power, market access, and incomes for pastoral households.