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Marketing Channel and Export Potentiality of Freshwater Mud Eel (monopterus Cuchia)of Noakhali Region in Bangladesh

Md. Mohibul Hasan
Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3802, Bangladesh

Bhakta Supratim Sarker
Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3802, Bangladesh

K M Shahriar Nazrul
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agriculture University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Md. Mofizur Rahman
Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3802, Bangladesh

Abdullah-Al Mamun
Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3802, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study has been undertaken to create a better understanding of the current marketing flow and trading practices for freshwater eel in Bangladesh. A survey was conducted from November 2009 to July 2010 through collecting information using a semi-structured questionnaire among the cross section of marketing operators in the south East part of (Noakhali) of Bangladesh. This paper explores market chain issues for the freshwater eel (Monopterus cuchia) trade, a high-value export fishery involving nearly 15 countries in the world, with high demand in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan. The marketing system passes through a number of channels from catchers to exporters. A different grading system is involved for marketing of freshwater eel in Bangladesh. It is varied according to the sex and size of the eel in the international market. Freshwater eel marketing was considered as a profitable business by most of the marketing operators. The social and religious restriction on consumption of freshwater eel was also reported as a problem that hinders the business and prevents obtaining realistic prices in the domestic market. For this reason, in local market of Noakhali freshwater eel is not available.

Keywords: Marketing channel, Export potentiality, Freshwater mud eel

Location: NOAKHALI REGION, BANGLADESH

Start Date: 00-11-2009

End Date: 00-07-2010

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Eel

Objectives:

To know the availability, marketing channel and export potentiality of freshwater eel in Noakhali district.

Methodology:

Site Selection: Noakhali district is situated in Chittagong division with an area of 3600.99 sq km and bounded by Comilla district on the north, the Meghna estuary and the BOB on the south, Feni and Chittagong districts on the east, Lakshmipur and Bhola districts on the west. The district is renowned for fish culture and production. Closed water fish culture has been increased in recent years due to the activities made by Noakhali Aquaculture Extension Project (NAEP) and Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), where both the institutions play a vital role for technology invention, dissemination and for giving logistic supports to the entrepreneurs in fisheries sector. Freshwater eel is available in Noakhali (Hatya upazilla) and it is important for its marketing chain. Considering this point Noakhali was selected for the study. Marketing Channel of Freshwater Eel: (a) Collector They use various type of equipments to catch freshwater eel in our country such as borshi, anta and by hand. In Noakhali there are 15-20 collectors at present. (b) Seller Sellers buy freshwater eel from collectors and sell to the whole seller in reasonable price. (c) Whole Seller Wholesalers buy freshwater eel from collector and sell them to the supplier. The function of the wholesaler is to store the fish. (d) Supplier There are 6-7 suppliers in Noakhali region. They rent a packing center packaging and transport to the airport near the exporter. Suppliers are benefited from wholesaler and exporter because only they know about the real market price of the fish. Market price fluctuates several times because of seasonal variation. (e) Supervisor There are 5-6 people involve in the marketing chain as a supervisor. Exporter use them to know about the market price of freshwater eel. (f) Exporter Exporters are also freshwater eel retailers but they do not sell directly to the consumers, they transport eel to sell to other buyers. Freshwater eel has a great demand in China, Japan, Hong- Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and USA. Exporters contract with buyer through internet, telephone, or personal relationship. (g) Buyer There are two types of buyer one who buy dead eel from the eel packaging center and another buy only live eel. There are another buyer is present in packaging center who buy eel for medicinal purpose. (h) Consumer Consumers buy eel depending on test and size. Eels of Noakhali region are very popular due to their exceptional test. Sample Number A total of 30 people were selected for questionnaire interviews in different areas of Noakhali region. Data Collection The data collection as well as field survey was undertaken from November 2009 to July 2010. Data collection methods can be divided into 3 steps; these are: questionnaire interviews with freshwater eel collectors, focus group discussion with exporters and suppliers and cross-check interviews with key informants.

Source of Information: Int. J. Life Sc. Bt & Pharm. Res. Vol. 1, No. 3, 226-233, July 2012

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Freshwater eel marketing is considered as a profitable business by most of the marketing operators. From the survey it was found that the price is strongly affected by various factors including seasonality. Domestic demand needs to increase through increasing social awareness and promoting awareness of the nutritive value of this export oriented species. Considering the total export earnings from freshwater eel the fishery shows future potential. To achieve this, development and support from government and different nongovernmental organizations needs to be greater and perceptions regarding the activity needs to show attention for the culture system of freshwater eel and marketing in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal