Food Supply and Distribution Networks and How Markets Work in Africa

Table of Contents

LAURENCE WILHELM

March 1997

FAO
Food Supply and Distribution to Cities
in French-Speaking Africa

FOOD INTO CITIES COLLECTION

Project ACP/RAF/309

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Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Supply networks and markets

1.1. Supply networks for cities and the key actors

1.1.1. Farm produce: Trade and non-trade networks
1.1.2. Organization of indirect trade networks
1.1.3. Risky economic environment: Non-competitive strategies and practices
1.1.4. Market actors: Wholesalers and retailers
1.1.5. Manufactured goods and staple foods (rice, flour, sugar)

1.2. The market sector

1.2.1. The place of markets in the urban trade sector
1.2.2. Defining features of urban markets
1.2.3. Location and distribution of markets in cities
1.2.4. Role of markets in urban supply systems
1.2.5. Functional relations between markets and trade support activities: Importance of transport in food supply and distribution
1.2.6. Market conditions: Technical, hygienic and economic diagnosis
1.2.7. Development of extended trading centres

1.3. Wholesale markets: Problems and challenges

1.3.1. Prevailing conditions and required actions
1.3.2. Wholesale activities in urban areas: Places and modes of operation
1.3.3. Supply and redistribution functions of wholesale markets
1.3.4. Establishing new wholesale markets

2. Operation and organization of large urban markets

2.1. Market installations and facilities

2.1.1. Public facilities
2.1.2. Number of traders in major markets
2.1.3. Condition of existing sales and storage facilities

2.2. Market management and types of occupancy by traders

2.2.1. Market management
2.2.2. Stall allocation
2.2.3. Malfunctioning markets

2.3. Traders and economic activity

2.3.1. Sectoral differences in turnover and trading margins
2.3.2. The behaviour of traders and trading strategies
2.3.3. Non-existent or insufficient facilities and the coping strategies of traders
2.3.4. Operating costs of traders

2.4. The dynamics of spatial distribution of traders

2.4.1. Income disparity and spatial organization of markets

3. Conclusions and recommendations

3.1. Main characteristics of the urban marketing sector
3.2. Perceived needs of traders
3.3. Need for comprehensive strategy to improve the food marketing sector

Bibliography

Notes