ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF THE HAITIAN AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SYSTEM

The consumption-production characteristics of Haiti reflect relatively high changing population densities and small dispersed production units, with generally poor access to regional and urban marketing centers. The input markets are unorganized but farmers must rely on purchased inputs. Marketing infrastructure suffers from a lack of investment. The agricultural marketing system in Haiti is characterized by these and other problems not common to developing countries. The report begins with a brief discussion of the role of marketing and a description of Haitian consumption. Discussions are also included on the marketing channels for domestically produced and consumed agricultural commodities, the marketing channels of major export crops, and the marketing of agricultural inputs. The unique marketing characteristics of the major commodities are highlighted and the various problems and inefficiencies identified. Market interdependencies, storage needs and other price dimensions of market performance are considered. Constraints and issues of overall importance to market performance and marketing policy are explored. These include: transportation, weights and measures, grades and standards, information needs, concessional food grain imports, and a description of donor programs in the marketing area. The report concludes with a discussion of additional programs and research needs.