Analysis of Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Fish Marketing in Igbokoda Fish Market, Ondo State, Nigeria

The study analyzed the socio-economic factors affecting fish marketing in Igbokoda fish market, Ondo State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used in selection of the respondents. Sample size comprised eighty fish marketing households. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Results revealed that fish marketing in the area is dominated by females (88.7%). Majority (91.3%) were married with an average household size of 7 persons. Marketers earned an average income of N60, 000 per month. Majority (71.3%) do not belong to cooperative societies, 46.3% of the marketers have an average of 16.5 years of experience. Findings also revealed that fish marketing is efficient and lucrative in the area. However, constraints faced by the marketers include; inadequate storage facilities, price instability, inadequate capital, lack of access to credit, distance to market among others. It was therefore recommended that effective agricultural policies and programs should address marketers' easy access to credits, infrastructural facilities such as good storage and processing facilities, electrification, good feeder roads should be provided in the area to reduce spoilage and unprofitable sales.