Shyamal Kumar Paul
Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
Ahasan Habib
Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
Bhakta Supratim Sarker
Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
M Golam Mustafa
Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
Kong Chain Marma
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
Fish marketing channel, Fish price, Marketing cost, Marketing margin. Packaging
Natore, Bangladesh
Socio-economic and Policy
Fish marketing
The study was carried out for a period of six month from January to June, 2006 and was based on fish market survey and its packaging system, obtaining information through a sample survey among fish farmers (fish producer), operators (aratdar) and fish traders (paiker, wholesaler and retailer) and consumers. There are many fish markets in Natore district. In this study, we selected prominent one market from each upazila and also arranged one focus group discussion (FGD). In each of upazila market, three aratdars, five farmers, five traders, and five consumers were independently interviewed in the visited fish markets. Peak time of almost every arats was early in the morning from 6 am to 7.30 am. During that time some of the aratdars were reluctant to take part in the discussion. Collection methods were divided into three steps; (i) questionnaire interviews, (ii) Focus group discussion and (iii) Crosscheck interviews with key informants.
Each Focus Group Discussion (FGD) consisted of 5 to 6 respective representative in related to fish market. During FGD the representatives involved with fish price, commission, fish types, fish sources, transportation system, fish packaging and marketing system. FGDs were arranged after peak period in around 8.00 am to 9.00 am. On the other hand, fish market was surveyed around 9 am to 10 am. During every visit, collected information about on cultivable species, rate of production, availability, marketing channel, transport facilities, cost of marketing, packaging system, consumer behavior and problems of the market from fish traders, farmers and consumers. Crosscheck interviews were conducted with key informants such as local leaders, Upazila fisheries officer, school teacher or relevant NGO workers where information was contradictory or requested for further assessment.
In this study, questionnaires were prepared in consistent with the objectives for collecting relevant information. Marketing margin of each type of intermediary was calculated by deducting the purchase price of fish at farm level, the sale price while the profit component was calculated by deducting the marketing cost from his share of marketing margin. The gross margins, marketing cost, net margin, price spread, gross share and net share were calculated as i. Gross margin = Price paid by an agency – Price received by the preceding agency, ii. Marketing cost = Labor cost + transportation cost + Packaging cost + Storage cost etc. iii. Net margin = Gross margin – marketing cost iv. Price spread= Retail pricefarmer’s net price v. Farmer’s share (%) =Farm price /Final retail price * 100 vi. Paiker’s share (%) = Paiker’s margin/ Final retail price* 100 vii. Wholesaler’s share (%) = Wholesaler’s margin/Final retail price *100 viii. Retailer’s share (%) = Retailer’s margin/Final retail price *100 The data were processed and finally analyzed using Microsoft Excel software and SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science).
International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2016; 4(5): 651-657
Journal