Is there a difference between the poor and non-poor? A disaggregated demand analysis for fish in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study examines the fish consumption pattern of households in Bangladesh. We use data of the national Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) to develop a demand model disaggregated by fish types and income groups. We apply a two-step censored regression model to estimate the price and income elasticities. Results show that poor and non-poor households consume similar types of fish. However, poor households rely more on fish as their primary source of animal protein. As income increases, the fish consumption of the poor rises more than for the non-poor. Additionally, fish price increase will lead to a deterioration of their nutritional conditions. In terms of fish species, the study finds that carps, pangasius, barbs and tilapia, mainly sourced from aquaculture, and small catfish, mainly sourced from capture fisheries, are the most frequently consumed fish species for the households in Bangladesh. The paper also finds that aquaculture has good potential to compensate for the decline of fish supply from inland capture fisheries.