Market demand of conventional and non-conventional fish species and price comparison between BFDC landing center and two popular fish markets, the Baharchora and Borobazar, in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study of conventional (common commercial fish species which is consumed by people in Bangladesh like Seabass, Ribbon fish, Hilsha, Bombay duck etc.) and non-conventional (fish species which is consumed by people in Bangladesh like Milk shark, Stingray etc.) fish species at BFDC landing center was conducted to know the current condition of fish, their market demand, prices and price difference between BFDC landing center and two popular fish market Baharchora and Borobazar. There were about 32 varieties of conventional fish species and most common were Seabass, Ribbon fish, Hilsha, Bombay duck, Mackerel, Silver pomfret, Red snapper, etc. The average price for most demandable fish were Hilsha (TK. 600-1000 kg), Silver pomfret (TK. 550-900 kg), Seabass (TK. 500-650 kg), Bombay duck (TK. 100 kg), Ribbon fish (TK. 300 kg) which varied with size and season. There were about 20 species of non - conventional fish including Milk shark, Stingray, Long Tung Sole, Mud spiny lobster, Mud crab etc. observed. Milk shark and Dog shark was common at the landing center. Their average size and weight were 1-2 feet and 1-3 kg which were sold for TK. 120-140 kg. The regular price of Stingray was TK.180-220 kg at the landing center with average weight of 2-8 kg. Normally marketing channel of both fish was maintained by middle men. A large number of fish from the landing center was sold to them by auction. The landing center is the common place from where local fish seller collects fish and sell by for around 15-25% of the profit. Usually, unsold raw fishes were preserved in the freezer and rests were sold to dry fish processors mainly in Nazirartek. The study shows a variation of conventional and non-conventional fish species, their price, and market demand in Cox’s Bazar region.