Marketing efficiency of olive in South Sinai governorate

Olive is considered the main crop that is cultivated in South Sinai Governorate. Despite this importance, it is noted that there are deficiencies in the marketing system of olive in South Sinai Governorate. Therefore, the study aimed to analyze the marketing systems of olive, determine their efficiency, uncover the problems they suffer from, and then suggest appropriate solutions to them. To achieve this goal, the study used the descriptive analysis method and relied on the questionnaire as a main tool for data collection, through a random sample of olive producers in the villages of Ras Masla and Abu Suwayra in Ras Sidr District. The sample size was 80 farmers, and data was collected during the 2023/2024 agricultural season. The findings indicated that there are four marketing channels for olives in South Sinai Governorate: selling as a kalala, selling to a wholesaler on the farm, selling to a retailer on the farm, and selling in the wholesale market. By estimating the marketing efficiency of olives according to the different marketing methods, it was found that selling in the wholesale market ranked first at about 61.3%, followed by selling to the retailer in the farm at about 58.2%, then selling to the wholesaler in the farm at about 56.7%. According to the respondents’ opinions, the marketing problems of olive in South Sinai Governorate are mainly represented by the rise in transportation and labor costs, and the sharp price rise in fuel and production inputs. Accordingly, the study recommends reducing the prices of production inputs, opening new outlets for marketing and manufacturing olives, and improving the performance of marketing operations.