Structural and economic condition of wholesale fish markets in Black Sea Region

Abstract

In this study it is aimed to create background and resource for improvement plans as well as more comprehensive future studies on wholesale fish markets in Black Sea region of Turkey. The region is very important for seafood production of Turkey which constitutes 73% of total fisheries production however there is no comparative study on the wholesale fish markets of Black Sea region. Comparative analysis on 3 main wholesale fish markets (Samsun, Trabzon and Ordu) of Black Sea region was performed for structural and economic conditions. The data on fishery products and trading volume in 2013 were derived from the official statistical documents of the wholesale fish markets. The remaining data on physical conditions, profile of employees, facilities, services, incomes, expenses, marketing profile and status of the brokers were obtained by face-to-face survey conducted with responsible managers and employees. Moreover, realization of improvement studies in accordance with the regulations of European Union harmonization process have been investigated. Finally, SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis was performed in order to assess all aspects of the current state of wholesale fish markets in the region. The trade volume of 3 wholesale fish markets was 13 590 tonnes in 2013 which constitutes 5.51% of total fish trade in Blacks Sea region. Capacity utilization rates at a low level between 7.6 to 55.48%. The total revenue of the wholesale fish markets in 2013 was 946 thousand Turkish Lira. Although the priority is given to the infrastructural development investments by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the desired level could not obtained in terms of capacity utilization rate, hygiene and marketing opportunities, yet.