ABSTRACT

The study examined processing and marketing of fish and fish product in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. The broad objective of the study is to evaluate valuation in processing and marketing of fish and fish product in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to examine socio economic characteristics of fish processors, identify the sources of fish supply within the metropolis, identify the various source of value addition in the processing and marketing of fish and fish product, identify the channels of distribution of fish and fish products, estimate the cost and returns in processing and marketing of fish, Ascertain the determinants of marketing efficiency in the processing and marketing of fish and fish product. The study covers three local government Areas in Port Harcourt Rivers State. The Sampling size used was 60 respondents. A randomized multistage sampling technique was used in data collection. Three Local Government were purposively selected with two markets from each of the Local Government. Well structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Data obtained were analyzed with sample statistics, such as means frequencies and percentages, ordinary least square regression, and cost and returns analysis. The regression result shows that marketing experience, level of education, are significant at 1% are positive determinants of the efficiency of fish product traded. While household size is significant at 1% and depreciation on capital are significant at 5%, and are negatively determinants of the efficiency of fish product traded. The cost and return shows higher variable cost and low fixed cost, that means they are technical inefficient but economically efficient. The main constraint which limit processing of fish were lack of storage facilities, lack of processing techniques, lack of market intelligence inadequate transportation. It was recommended that market infrastructure should be improved upon to reduce marketing cost the marketers should be exposed to seminars symposium and further formal education for them to conform to modern marketing condition.