This paper investigates the impact of the institution of brokerage on the optimal search behaviour and the welfare gains and losses of traders in the Ethiopian grain market. Without brokers, the privately optimal search diverges from the socially optimal search due to the positive spill-over of...

Based on original trader surveys, this paper examines how agricultural traders operate in Benin and Malawi. Results indicate that the largest transaction costs are search and transport. The use of modern technology is limited. Search methods rely principally on personal visits by the trader, and...