Fish Marketing System in Southern Bangladesh: Recommendations for Efficient Marketing

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the marketing channel, marketing cost and marketing margin and problems associated with fish marketing in order to provide recommendations for efficient fish marketing system in Barisal city, southern Bangladesh. Data were collected from seven fish markets of Barisal, southern Bangladesh including Port road fish market, Taltoli bazar fish market, Chaumatha fish market, Notullabad bus stand fish market, Kasipur bazar fish market and Bazar road fish market. Both primary and secondary data were used during 1 year study period from May, 2011 to April, 2012. Primary data were collected through field surveys and pre-structured questionnaire was used for interviewing of 10 organizers, 20 aratdars (commission agent), 50 fish traders and 100 consumers. Secondary source of information consists of published materials such as journals, textbooks, newspapers and also from interviewing different government and non-government officials and members of various fisheries related cooperative societies. The results of this study revealed 11 fish marketing channels in Barisal city's fish marketing system. The average marketing cost ranged from 4.15% to 8.33% (6.76±0.98) % of the final retail price. The highest and lowest average fish price were recorded as USD 7.07/kg and USD 1.03/kg for giant fresh water prawn and silver carp, correspondingly. Intermediaries' marketing margin on different species' marketing fluctuated from 29.6% to 50.28% (39.38±5.22) % for silver carp and brown shrimp marketing, respectively. Establishment of modern fish landing center and retail markets near the fish landing port, introduction of government fish shops and insulated and refrigerated fish vans and fish carriers, training of all personnel related to fish marketing about fish handling, quality of fish, hygiene practices, improvement of existing fish market structure, provision for government and private funding assistance for fishers/fish farmer, formulation and enactment of independent act/ordinance for fish landing and marketing are highly recommended.

Value chain analysis of dry fish marketing in coastal belt of Bangladesh

“…However, they also sold the rest of their fish to final consumers directly and through retailers (Fig1). About similar actors were found by a number of researchers [14,16,17,18,19] . Very few (2%) of their fish went to suppliers who proceeded to the exporter.…”

Fish Diversity in the Andharmanik River Sanctuary in Bangladesh

“…The entire catchment of the 40-km-long Andharmanik River is an important Hilsa shad sanctuary in southern Bangladesh (Wahab and Golder, 2016). The role of fisheries in the national economy has always been significant and has been the main source of animal protein, employment opportunities, food security, foreign income and socio-economic improvement (Siddiq et al, 2013;Ali et al, 2014aAli et al, , 2014bAli et al, , 2014cAli et al 2015aAli et al , 2015b. This sector contributes 3.65% of the total GDP and 23.81% of agricultural GDP.…”

Marketing Efficiency of the Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus) Cultured with Bioflock System

“…It spoils soon after death due to microbial actions, which results in disagreeable taste, smell and texture thereby reducing consumer acceptability (Garrow & James, 1994). Meanwhile the fish price fluctuates much depending on the season, the quantity and quality of fish, the type and size of fish, freshness, supply and demand, market structure, market distance, and also long-short marketing channels (Aswathy & Abdu Samad, 2013; Ali et al, 2014;Begum et al, 2014). Nowadays, business transaction can be done through fish market, retail market, fishing port or even via internet order.…”