Cost and Return Analysis of Fresh Fish Marketing in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Improving the supply of fish protein to teaming population of consumers within and outside Kebbi State requires an understanding of its marketing costs and returns; hence, this study investigated costs and return analysis of fresh fish marketing in Kebbi State. Six fishing communities in Kebbi State were purposively selected while 82 fishermen 68 traders were randomly selected from lists of fishermen and traders’ cooperatives. These respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires in addition to Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted with representatives of the cooperatives. Descriptive statistics and net return model were used to analyse the cost and return data collected on fresh fish marketing. Results obtained revealed that fishermen, wholesalers and retailers make a net return of NGN 58.22, NGN 266.95 and NGN 466.95 per every basin of fresh fish (15Kg) sold respectively. The fishermen could make NGN 208.22 per basin when they sell directly to retailers in the urban market. The difference between marketing cost and revenue were estimated at 7.85%, 25.84% and 30.46% for fishermen, wholesalers and retailers respectively. Transportation charges and cost of cool storage were the principal marketing costs of fishermen and traders respectively. This study concludes that the marketing of fresh fish in Kebbi State was profitable. However, the profit level could be enhanced through economies of scale by engaging in collective marketing to reduce storage and transportation costs. Therefore, the study recommends that the actors in the marketing system of fresh fish should embrace cooperative marketing.