Fish Distribution and Marketing in Some Selected Fish Markets in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study of distribution and marketing of fish in some selected fish markets in Adamawa State, Nigeria was conducted between January and August, 2012. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 200 fish marketers in Vunoklang, Fufore, Wurobokki and Gurin fish markets, using simple random sampling technique. Analytical tools used were percentages and simple linear regression. There is a structure in the marketing of fish in the selected fish markets in Adamawa State.  These include the whole sellers and retailers. The result shows that retailers were more than whole sellers (70.5% and 29.5%) respectively. The result also revealed that women were more involved (52%) in the fish business than men (48%). The middle age group (31-40) years old dominated the market (36%), indicating that most of the marketers were in their economic active years.  The respondents with informal education have the highest percentage (62.25%). The result  showed that respondent with experience of 11-15 years had the highest percentage of 28%, followed by 26% and 25% of those between (6-10) and above 16 years respectively while (0-5) year had the lowest percentage of 20.5%. Source of fish supply in the four major fish markets showed that 100% supply to Vunoklang is from Laddo Dam in Cameroon, Wurobokki had 76% supply from  Laddo Dam in Cameroon and 23% from water bodies in Nigeria, while Gurin and Fufore have 62% and 37% from  Laddo Dam  in Cameroon with corresponding 38% and 63% from water bodies in Nigeria respectively. Laddo Dam in Cameroon supplied most of the fish in Adamawa major fish markets (69%) while water bodies in Nigeria supplied only 31.25%. List of fish species realized during the study indicates a total of (23). The most common and abundant species were Clarias species, Tilapia species, Alestes species Synodontis species, Labeo species, Auchenoglanis species and Protopterus species. Auchenoglanis, Heterobranchus and Clarias species were highly prized in the study area; N1167 per kilogram, N1100 per kg and N977 per kg respectively. Fish price in these markets is determined by size, species, season and other factors. It is apparent in Nigeria that demand and supply of fish are not in equilibrium due to depletion of the resources; nevertheless, location, population and income level of the people determine the sales and the price.