2023, Vol. 8, Special Issue 6

The present study was undertaken with the aim of examining the marketing cost, marketing margin and price spread of Apple Ber in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. The investigation encompassed six villages, with three located in Pandharpur and three in Sangola tehsils of the Solapur district. Various marketing channels were identified and classified according to their distinct roles and functions: Channel-I involves the flow from Producer - Consumer. In Channel-II, the progression is from Producer - Preharvest contractor - Wholesaler - Retailer - Consumer. Channel-III operates from Producer - Wholesaler - Retailer - Consumer. The marketing cost of Apple Ber per quintal for Channel-I was Rs.95.34, for Channel-II it was Rs.366.99 and for Channel-III, the costs were Rs.549.33 and Rs.634.68 through Solapur and Pune, respectively. Commission charges and transport expenses emerged as the principal items, making the most substantial contribution to the overall marketing cost.