Exploring Demand Determinants and Consumption Behaviour in Ethiopia's Fish Value Chain

Exploring Demand Determinants and Consumption Behaviour in Ethiopia's Fish Value Chain

Author: 
Abebe Ejigu Alemu
Publisher: 
Adonis & Abbey
Date published: 
2016
Record type: 
Responsibility: 
Adesina, Jimi, jt. author
Journal Title: 
African Journal of Business and Economic Research
Source: 
African Journal of Business and Economic Research, Vol. 11, No. 2-3, 2016, 83 - 101
Abstract: 

A rising food demand is the global challenge and aquatic food bases fill nutritional requirements. However, fish consumption in northern Ethiopia is limited. This study investigates reasons for lower fish consumption and assesses demand determinants. A sample of 420 households was surveyed using structured questionnaire. Three competing regression models (Heckman's, Tobit and OLS) were employed to identify determinants and fish consumption intensity. The descriptive statistics reveal that only 6 percent of the surveyed households had consumed fish previously. The rest didn't consume owing to supply shortage, lack of experience of eating and cooking fish, fear of spoilage, religious belief, and lack of interest. The result also shows that presence of children, access to rivers and frequency of swimming in rivers, fasting, and literacy as significant determinants of fish consumption. Home-users however consumed little fish. Interestingly, 73 percent of the responding households are willing to consume fish if improvements are made in promotion and awareness creation, supply, quality, and transportation. Establishing convenient and reliable cold-chain, aggressive promotion and awareness creation, supply and quality consistency will foster fish demand. Encouraging private sectors in processing, transporting and packaging may also improve the situation.

Language: 
Country focus: 

CITATION: Abebe Ejigu Alemu. Exploring Demand Determinants and Consumption Behaviour in Ethiopia's Fish Value Chain . : Adonis & Abbey , 2016. African Journal of Business and Economic Research, Vol. 11, No. 2-3, 2016, 83 - 101 - Available at: https://library.au.int/exploring-demand-determinants-and-consumption-behaviour-ethiopias-fish-value-chain