Factors influencing the marketing of fresh fish in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted to examine the factors influencing the sales of fresh fish in Ogun State. Data was collected with the use of structured questionnaires, which was administered in three of the four agricultural zones of Ogun State: Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, and Ilaro zones. The results revealed that the respondents were mostly males (79.38%) with high level of literacy. The pond sizes ranged between less than 1 – 5 with 46.37% of fish farms within pond size grouping of less than one hectare. The market prices of Clarias spp. ranged between □250 □400/Kg and the farmers were mostly patronized by retailers. Fish farm location significantly (P<0.05) affected the weight size, species and condition of the fishes offered for sale or purchased by the farmers. The cost of fish in the three agricultural zones were significantly (P<0.05) different. This was attributed to distance to sales point or markets. However, the ages of the  respondents in the zones were not significantly different and it did not make much impact on the cost and sales of the fish species offered for sale. The main fish species cultured and offered for sale in the state was Clarias gariepinus and this was attributed to consumers demand. However, few of the farmers offered other species for sale, which included Heterotis niloticus, Tilapia spp, Heterobrancus and Heteroclarias spp. Most of these other species were captured fisheries and not cultured.