| dc.description | This study is concerned with the analysis of the situation on the emerging sheep and
mutton market in Yucatán State, Mexico and the potential it holds for small scale
sheep producers.
As literature on the Mexican sheep and mutton market is scarce, this study is based
on extensive interviews and field research conducted in the Mexican states of
Yucatán, Puebla and Mexico over three month in early 2005. Significant case studies
could be derived from the research and form the basis for most conclusions of this
study.
The sheep and mutton market has gained importance over the last years and is
steadily growing. Domestic supply is currently insufficient; thus, the supply gap is
filled by imports from several developed countries. The increasing demand for mutton
constitutes a great potential for small scale farmers to expand their business and
improve their financial situation. However, so far, producers in Yucatán have not
been successful in exploiting the growing market for sheep and mutton as other
market participants dominate and control the profit distribution in the value chain.
Barbacoyeros realise the highest profit followed by intermediaries whereas small
scale producers are left with a small profit per sheep. To shift this balance, it is
recommended that small scale farmers form a cooperative to increase their
bargaining power towards intermediaries and customers. The establishment of a
cooperative would enable small scale producers to supply the demand more
efficiently and would ultimately improve their financial situation Key words: sheep and mutton market, Mexico, small scale sheep producers, case
studies, potential for expansion, Barbacoyeros, intermediaries, cooperative | |
