Structure, Conduct and Performance of Selected Wholesale Markets of Intermediate Dairy Products in India-Critical Issues and Concerns

Majority of the indigenous dairy products use three major milk based ingredients namely Khoa, Channa and Paneer in their manufacturing which have been termed as intermediate dairy products. The important wholesale markets of intermediate dairy products are Paneer market in Rohtak, Khoa market in Delhi, and Channa market in Kolkata. The present study determines their market structure, conduct and performance. Based on the concentration ration, the study concluded that overall structure of these markets was oligopolistic. The low profit margin and perishability were the major barriers of entry. The open auction method was practiced only in khoa market. All products were sold unpacked and quality was determined subjectively. The market margin charged was higher and producer's share in consumer's rupee was lower. The study concluded that marketing efficiency can still be improved by increasing the competition and specialization of the functions.