Fish Availability and Market Channel in Rajbari, Bangladesh: A Case Study in Sadar Sub-District Markets

Abstract

The study of fisheries marketing channel and market margins is a useful tool for market management and a crucial system for creating an effective and well-planned marketing strategy. The aim of the research is to know about the fish marketing channel, marketing margins, fish availability and difficulties related fish marketing system in three fish markets of Rajbari, Bangladesh from June to December 2019. Here, data were collected through questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and field visits. A total of 109 species of fish and shellfish were available in the fish market. Perciformes (28.97% of total fishes) were the most dominant followed by Cypriniformes (23.37%), Siluriformes (19.63%), Clupeiformes (7.48%) and Decapoda (7.48%). A total of 19 species of processed fish were available including dried (77.77% of total processed fishes), salted (16.67%) and fermented (5.56%) that arrived from Dhaka and Chattogram. The price of fish and processed fish depends on consumer demand, availability, season, storage facilities and marketing channel. The length of marketing channel of freshwater fishes was comparatively shorter such: fisherman or farmer – auctioneer – wholesaler – retailer – consumer. Marine fishes arrived from other places like Khulna, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, Jashore, Barishal, Chandpur, Bhola where supplier purchased those fishes through auctioneer and supply to other cities where retailer bought fishes through wholesaler and delivery to consumer. The market channel of processed fishes was the longest. However, the market margin of marine fishes is comparatively higher than freshwater fishes. The unplanned market location (P.I = 0.80) was major constraints followed by insufficient drainage system, low supply of fish for Covid-19 pandemic, high transportation cost, and traditional fish transportation system. This research, therefore, would suggest that modern equipped fish market with high quality cold storage and ice factories could help to maintain the better quality of fish and reduce economic losses.