A thesis submitted in partials fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997

Since 1988, Myanmar (Burma) has adopted market oriented economy and since then the marketing of several marine products has been introduced in the seafood industry. A survey was conducted in five coastal townships in Rakhine (Arakan) state to identify rural production, and a marketing activities of three marine products: jellyfish, mudcrab, and shrimp respectively. Rural people involved in the seafood marketing environment were grouped into five classes: fisherfolks, aquafarmers, collectors, dealers, and exporters. Marketing structures, distribution channels, transportations, were identified. Costs of production and transportation, the performance of the existing market system, the mark-up prices and the marketing margin were evaluated. Waste and loss, mortality, various constraints at each marketing stage were also summarized. Although seafood marketing is entirely for export, the landing quantity is mainly dependent on the abundance in the sea given by the nature. The market price is influenced by not only seasonal abundance but by exporters also. Many technical constraints degrade the quality of salted jellyfish. Communications and transportation are also significant constraints to the development of seafood industry in the survey region. The price and availability of diesel oil are significant constraints both in respect of ice and freezing, and transportation in some areas. The provisions of advance credit, and material requirements attracted fisherfolks, but m general they prefer down payment. While mudcrab marketing is a family member oriented business, jellyfish and shrimp marketing offer wage employment to the rural people including women. The difficulties experienced in marketing are reflected in the mark-ups of the industry. Mark-up is relatively high, ranging from around 90% (landed value to export price) in the case of shrimp and jellyfish, to more than 1,300% in the case of mudcrab, although the latter is inflated as a result of complex currency procedures.