A Study on Functions and Marketing Cost of Wholesalers and Intermediate Wholesalers in Wholesale Markets of Vegetables and Fruits

1996 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 06660276
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Agro-economics
• Research Institution: CHIBA UNIVERSITY
• Principal Investigator: KEINO Seiji CHIBA UNIV.HORTICULTURAL DEP.PROFESSOR, 園芸学部, 教授 (40024591)
• Project Period (FY): 1994 – 1996
• Keywords: Central Wholesale Market / Wholesaler / Intermediate Wholesaler / Marketing Cost / Supermarket / Marketing Function / Auction / Financial Analysis

Research Abstract

The systems of central wholesale markets are the most important part in the distribution of vegetables and fruits in Japan. I conducted investigations of central whole sale markets in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Morioka. Central wholesale markets are composed of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers. According to the development of the marketing systems in farmer's stage and retail stages, the functions of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers are undergoing changes recently. I considered the factors which affect this changes. The development of supermarkets is most important factors in retail stages.
I also tried to analyzed the marketing cost and margin of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers. The marketing cost consist of labor cost, operating cost, land & house rent, tax & obligation and capital interest. The labor cost is most important item in the total cost, 45% for wholesalers and 67% for intermediate wholesalers. The ratio of gross profit to sales and the ratio of current profits are both low, 7.2% & 0.6% for wholesalers and 10.1% &0.1% for intermediate wholesalers. They must deal more and more. This is a reason which intermediate wholesalers are dealing with supermarkets.