The Socio-Economics of Nile Perch Frames Marketing in Kisumu.

Nile Perch (Lates niloticus) is the dominant fish from Lake Victoria, constituting 49% of total tonnage and 48% of the beach value of fish landed in Kenya. The main byproducts of industrial filleting of Nile Perch are the frame, fillet, and gut contents which respectively constitute 40%, 34% and 9% of the live body weight. This paper analyses the socioeconomic importance of Nile perch frames marketing in Kisumu, which is Kenya's largest single fish market. It describes the marketing channel for the frames and derives the price spreads and gross margins in the frames trade. The study is based on primary and secondary data obtained by interviewing participants in the market and from available records. The results show that the fish processing firms in Kisumu produce a daily average of about 20.2 tons of Nile perch frames. This is passed down a well organized marketing channel to local frames processors for frying and thereafter to wholesale and retail outlets. About 600 dealers of Nile perch frames operate at various stages of the marketing channel. Over 70% of them solely depend on fish marketing for employment and income. There is ready demand for Nile perch frames in Kisumu but the supply depicts a fluctuating trend. The gross margins to traders are fair except for retailers which, at 34% of the consumer price, appears excessive. This raises the retail price of the frame substantially, and may lower its consumption.

Bibliographic Details

Main Author:	Abila, R.
Format:	Book Section biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute 1994
Subjects:	Socioeconomic aspects, Freshwater fish, Inland fisheries, Lake fisheries, Marketing,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/7338
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