AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

ECONOMICS OF FROZEN AND SMOKED SCUMBIA FISH MARKETING IN SELECTED URBAN MARKETS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Udo, U. J., Nkeme, K. K. and Akpan, P. U.

Abstract
The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom State to assess the Economics of Frozen and Smoked Scumbia fish marketing in Selected Urban Markets. Specifically, the study assessed the socio-economic characteristics to Scumbia fish marketers, analyzed the costs and returns of Scumbia fish marketing, determined the gross margin of frozen and smoked Scumbia fish marketing, determined the factors that influenced the gross margin and identified the constraints to Scumbia fish marketing in the study area. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from Scumbia fish marketers. Four urban markets were purposively selected in the State. These four urban markets are the biggest and most popular daily markets in the State. The selected markets were Ikot Ekpene Main market and Otor market in Ikot Ekpene L.G.A, Itam and Akpan Andem markets in Uyo metropolis respectively. Forty smoked and frozen fish marketers were randomly selected from each of the selected four markets making a total number of one hundred and sixty respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and multiple regression models were used for data analysis. The result of the study indicated that all the respondents were women, 81.9% were married, 3.1% were single, 6.3% were widowed and 3.8% were divorced. The result further showed that 45%, 50%, 42.5% and 5% sold only frozen form in Ikot Ekpene Main Market, Otor, Itam and Akpan Andem market respectively while 55%, 50%, 57%, 5% sold both frozen and smoked from in Ikot Ekpene Main Market, Otor, Itam and Akpan Andem Market respectively. The average Gross Margin of fish sellers per week was N26381.01 for frozen form, while in smoked form was N21446.2 in Ikot Ekpene Main Market, Otor, Itam and Akpan Andem market respectively. The significant variables influencing the marketing of frozen Scumbia fish positively at 5% level of significance were age of the marketers, marketing experience, marital status, while cost of transportation was significant at 10%. Significant factors influencing smoked fish marketers at 5% level of significance were educational level, marketing experience. Marital status and fish price were significant at 1%. The major constraint affecting scumbia fish marketers was low patronage that culminated into poor pricing. Based on these findings the study recommends that men should be encouraged to venture into scumbia fish marketing business.