Fish Price Monitoring in Kandal, Prey Veng and Takeo Provinces of Cambodia by 1 1 2 Ker Naret , Sem Viryak and Don Griffiths 1. Fishery Officer, Department of Fisheries, and Counterpart of the MRC/DoF/Danida Fisheries Project in Cambodia 2. Chief Technical Advisor, MRC - Rural Extension for Aquaculture Development Project ABSTRACT Fish marketing data are vital for any aquaculture development project because it influences potential supply, demand and distribution channels of fish. The Rural Extension for Aquaculture Development (READ) Cambodian Sub-Component monitored fish prices eight times per month throughout 1999, in representative markets in Kandal, Prey Veng and Takeo provinces in Cambodia. A total of 90 fish dealers (30 per province) were also interviewed. Results showed that River Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), Snakeheads (Channa spp.) and Walking Catfish (Clarias spp.) were the major cultured fish by weight in all markets on sampling days. The quantities of cultured fish traded in Prey Veng markets was less than for Kandal and Takeo markets. In Kandal 38% of fish traded was cultured. Snakeheads (Channa spp.), Goonch (Bagarius bagarius), Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus), Catfish (Mystus spp. and Clarias spp.), Silver Barb (Barbodes gonionotus) and Riel (Henicorhynchus spp.) were the major wild fish species found in each province. Wild fish prices were generally highest from June to August and lowest from December to February. Mackerel (Scomber spp.) was the only marine fish species in the markets of each province. There were greater quantities of Mackerel in Kandal and Takeo than in Prey Veng province, and Mackerel was available year round in Kandal market. The main fish supply channels were through Saang district in Kandal province; Angkor Borei, Bourei Cholsar and Kaoh Andaet districts in Takeo province, and Kampong Leav district in Prey Veng province. Most fish dealers routinely faced fish shortages in the dry season, which increased price and reduced profit margins. The quantities of fish traded through the markets of Prey Veng, Takeo and Kandal markets on sampling days did not reflect the mean annual per capita fish consumption recorded in the READ 1998 baseline survey. 1. INTRODUCTION In 1998 the total fish supply in Cambodia was 122,000 metric tons, of which 62% was from inland capture fisheries, 26% from marine capture fisheries and 12% from freshwater aquaculture (DoF, 1999). The marine fishing capacity of Cambodia is developing only slowly and freshwater aquaculture has only developed in the last decade. Cultured fish production in Cambodia has risen sharply in recent years through the development efforts of several NGOs such as SAO and MRC in Kandal province, AIT Outreach, MCC, MRC and JICA in Takeo province, and PADEK, MCC, MRC and PRASAC in Prey Veng province. Most small-scale pond culture systems concentrate on exotic fish species including Chinese Carps, Indian Carps and Tilapia, which feed low in the food chain. Indigenous River Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and Snakehead (Channa spp.) are also cultured more intensively in cages. Snakehead, Silver Barb (Barbodes gonionotus), River Catfish, and Walking Catfish (Clarias) are the major cultured fish species. Coastal aquaculture is underdeveloped, with prawn culture reliant on seed and feed imported from Thailand. Cambodian people prefer wild freshwater fish to captured marine fish and cultured freshwater fish. Recently the catch of wild freshwater fish has been estimated to be 290,000–430,000 metric tons (Thor Sensereivorth, 1999). However, a number of factors including illegal fishing, pesticide use in farming, electro-fishing and environmental degradation are all major concerns of the Royal Government of Cambodia. With increasing population, per capita fish consumption, which is estimated to be between 30–40 kg per year, may well decrease if catches from inland capture - 165 - fisheries decline significantly. The catch of wild fish from natural water bodies and rice fields is still the largest source of fish in Cambodia. The Rural Extension for Aquaculture Development (READ) Cambodia Sub-Component works in Kandal, Takeo and Prey Veng provinces, where wild fish are scarce. The 1998 READ baseline survey of 150 households (50 households per province) found that mean annual per capita fish consumption was 21.5, 17.1 and 15.2 kg in Kandal, Takeo and Prey Veng provinces respectively (Sununtar et al., 1999), which is much lower than the range estimated above. The population of these provinces has increased rapidly in the last decade and fish supply in the area may not meet the local demand. Fish marketing data are vital for any aquaculture development project because they influence potential supply and demand, distribution channels of fish, the economics of fish culture and the importance of wild and cultured fish to rural households. Up-to-date fish marketing data can be used to determine the quantity of fish and fish products consumed, lead to improved fish marketing systems and used to identify appropriate and sustainable fish culture interventions. Traditionally, fish marketing in Cambodia has targeted supplying export and larger urban markets. Only limited quantities of fish and fish products are found in the rural markets in Prey Veng, Kandal and Takeo provinces, and prices are generally high. Literature and reliable data on fish marketing in the Lower Mekong Delta are scarce. READ therefore initiated a detailed fish market research survey in Prey Veng, Kandal and Takeo provinces to determine marketing systems and distribution mechanisms for all fish and fish products and establish how these factors impact on the socio- economics of fish capture and fish culture. The specific objectives of the study were to identify seasonal changes in fish price fluctuation, to determine the quantities of the major fish species traded, to delineate fish supply channels, to highlight constraints encountered by fish traders and to estimate household fish consumption levels. This paper presents the major findings for each province. 2. METHODOLOGY Following identification of the major markets in the three provinces, the following representative markets were randomly selected for sampling and fish price data were collected eight times per month from January to December 1999 inclusive, by Provincial Extension Officers: Province Sample markets selected Kandal Khsach Kandal, Takmau, Kandal Stueung, Ponhea Leu, Angk Snoul, Kien Svay and Mukh Kaampoul district Takeo Sam Raong, Doun Kaev, Bati, Tram Kah and Treang district. Prey Veng Kanh Chriech and Kampong Leav district. In addition, 90 fish traders selected at random from the following major markets were interviewed using a structured questionnaire with both open and closed questions devised by READ staff: Province Sample markets selected where dealers were interviewed Kandal Beck Chan, Angk Snoul, Tnal Torteung and Toul Leap markets, Angk Snoul district Takeo Samroan Young, Cham Bak, Tram Knar & Khom Reasey markets, Bati district Prey Veng Chheu Kach, Rak Chey and Snea markets, Baphnom district All data collected were entered, processed and analyzed using Microsoft Access, SPSS and Excel software programs. 3. RESULTS River Catfish, Snakeheads, and Walking Catfish (Clarias spp.) were the major cultured fish by weight in all markets on sampling days. Price monitoring showed that in 1999 Snakehead was the highest priced cultured fish and River Catfish the lowest, and traders made between 422–750 Riel per kg of fish traded. The total quantities of cultured fish traded on sampling days in the Kandal, Takeo and Prey Veng markets were 1,287, 1,127 and 228 kg respectively, with much less fish being traded in Prey Veng than in Kandal and Takeo markets. - 166 - Table 10.1: Total weight of fish species and mean price on sampling days in 1999 Mean fish Total fish Mean Mean sale Province Fish species Profit weight quantity buying price (Riel/kg) (g) (kg) price (Riel) (Riel) Snakehead 773 496 4,547 5,238 691 Silver Barb 158 294 3,408 4,146 738 Kandal River Catfish 1,230 262 3.412 3,988 576 Walking Catfish 304 222 3,400 3,964 564 Silver Carp 137 13 3,750 4,500 750 Total for the province 1,287 Snakehead 753 450 5,324 5,824 500 River Catfish 619 403 3,314 3,747 433 Walking Catfish 131 145 3,678 4,100 422 Takeo Tilapia 134 53 3,600 4,100 500 Silver Barb 120 33 4000 4,500 500 Silver Carp 240 28 4,000 4,500 500 Black Ear 700 15 3,000 3,500 500 Total for the province 1,127 Prey Veng River Catfish 870 205 2,723 3,423 700 Walking Catfish 352 23 3,750 4,500 750 Total for the province 228 In Kandal province, cultured River Catfish, Snakehead and Walking Catfish were available throughout the year. Figure 10.1 shows no obvious trend in cultured fish price fluctuation over time. Figure 10.2 shows that cultured Snakehead was found in the markets of Takeo from June to November only and its price was highest in August and September. Cultured River Catfish was available in Takeo markets from May to September, which coincides with the monsoon and the flood season. The only cultured fish species found in Prey Veng province markets were River Catfish and Walking Catfish, and they were only available for a limited part of the year (Figure 10.3). Figure 10.1: Cultured fish price fluctuation by month in Kandal province 7,000 6,000 5,000 Snakehead 4,000 River catfish 3,000 Silver barb Price (Riel) Walking catfish 2,000 1,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - 167 - Figure 10.2: Cultured fish price fluctuation by month in