Value Chain Dynamics and the Small-Scale Sector: A Summary of Findings and Policy Recommendations for Fisheries and Aquaculture Trade

Abstract

This article centers on an FAO project that focused on price transmission in fishery and aquaculture value chains, and the research conducted via case studies in 14 developed and developing countries. A brief overview of the project with the methodology of analysis and findings for each country is summarized in this work. In addition, general policy recommendations that emerged as key themes across all value chains are discussed. Across all case studies, it was found that relative to other players in the value chain, small-scale fishers and fish farmers are receiving the smallest economic benefits for their products. Processors and retail markets were found to be receiving more of the distributional benefits of the value chain owing to their stronger bargaining power. With this finding, policy recommendations aim to safeguard the interests of small-scale fishers and fish farmers by improving their prices and margins while allowing the resource to achieve long-term sustainability from an economic, social and biological perspective.