ANALYSIS OF MARKET STRUCTURE CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE OF CABBAGE IN TUPI, SOUTH COTABATO

This study was conducted by interviewing cabbage traders in Tupi, South Cotabatos specifically in Tupi Public Market from October to November 2021. Analyzing the market structure, market conduct and market performance of cabbage in Tupi Public Market will greatly help the cabbage traders in terms of marketing strategies and can make policy implications to improve the market of the cabbage in Tupi, South Cotabato. Gathered data were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Gini Coefficient and Lorenz Curve. There were 22 identified respondents in this study.

Results revealed that in terms of market structure, the Gini Coefficient was 0.38 and 0.35 of Wholesalers-Retailers and Retailers, respectively, which indicates a high level of concentration. As per product differentiation, the products sold are fresh, market. medium sized and small sized. Moreover, there is no barrier to entry and exit the

In terms of market conduct, the study found out that the market integration of the cabbage market consists of cabbage producers, wholesalers-retailers, retailers, and consumers only. There is competitive pricing because traders are setting their prices based on their competitor's price. Meanwhile, the degree of collusion for both wholesaler-retailer and retailers are respectively low.

With regards to market performance, the marketing margin of 18.03 and 28.5 for both wholesaler-retailer and retailers, respectively. More so, there is a profit surplus since the marketing efficiency is 5.5 for wholesaler-retailer and 6.9 for retailers. Hence considering the inequality of margin by wholesalers-retailers and retailers, the cabbage trading in Tupi, South Cotabato is inefficient with the huge surplus of profit.