The Structure of Marine Fish marketing in Kenya: The Case of Malindi and Kilifi Districts

In Kenya, the marine sub-sector, though a significant source of livelihood and employment, remains small in terms of contribution to the national economy. This study, undertaken between October 2000 and March 2001, examines and provides an insight into the structure of marine fish marketing as well as identifies constraints in the marketing system in Malindi and Kilifi districts. Through the use of questionnaires, informal interviews, observation and review of secondary information, two main marketing channels, differentiated by gender and value added practices (mainly frying), were identified. Factors determining the choice of a marketing channel were found to be ownership of storage facilities, profit margin and time to selling location, while constraints in the marketing system related to infrastructure and socio-economic factors. The study recommends investment in fish storage facilities as a way of strengthening the marine fish marketing structure by improving the bargaining power of traders and increasing profit margins.