PRISCILLA ABIEYUWA OMOROSE

This research examined the plants of spice value sold in selected markets within Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, to identify the species in trade, their socio-economic importance, and the challenges faced by traders in the spice market. The study was conducted across seven purposely selected markets: Ekiosa, Oregbeni, Oliha, Oba, New Benin, Santana, and Uselu based on their prominence in spice trading. Data obtained through the administration of 100 questionnaires and direct market observations. Descriptive statistics, Use Value (UV), and Family Use Value (FUV) indices were employed to analyze the data. Results showed that women constituted the majority of spice traders (83%), while men accounted for 17%, indicating a female-dominated occupation. Most respondents were married (78%), with 50% aged between 41 and 60 years, and 48% possessing secondary education. A total of twenty-two (22) spice plant species belonging to fifteen (15) botanical families were identified, with the seeds and leaves being the most frequently used parts, mostly sold in dried form. Prominent spices included Monodora myristica (African nutmeg), Aframomum melegueta (alligator pepper), Piper guineense (black pepper), and Xylopia aethiopica (Ethiopian pepper), which were mainly used in the preparation of traditional dishes such as pepper soup and black soup. The Lamiaceae family recorded the highest Family Use Value (FUV = 0.701), while Thymus vulgaris exhibited the highest Species Use Value (UV = 2.0), indicating high cultural and culinary relevance. The study revealed that the price of spices increased significantly between 2023 and 2025 (p < 0.05), with Aframomum melegueta and Tetrapleura tetraptera ranking among the most expensive species due to carcity and rising demand. Major challenges reported by traders included unstable pricing (92%), high
transportation costs (87%), inadequate storage facilities (35%), and seasonal scarcity (29%). These constraints negatively affected income, with most traders earning below ₦200,000 annually. The research concludes that plants of spice crops remain a vital component of household nutrition, income generation, and cultural heritage in Benin City. However, the increasing preference for modern synthetic spices and deforestation poses significant threats to their sustainability. It is therefore recommended that government and relevant agencies promote
the domestication and afforestation of indigenous spice plants, improve market infrastructure, provide value addition and processing facilities, and enhance awareness of the economic and ecological benefits of conserving spice biodiversity.