Value chan of Fish and Fishery products- Origin, Functi.doc

Value chain of Fish and Fishery products: Origin, Functions and Application in Developed and Developing country markets
. De Silva
Drivers and Governors of change on the Demand
Several factors are affecting on the demand function of fish and fishery products. Price, e, e distribution, substitutes, tastes and fashion, advertising and expectations of the consumers make the changes along the demand curve and demographic characters lead to change the position of the demand curve, upward or down ward shifting of the curve.
Demographics
Population growth rate and age distribution are key important factors affecting the demand function of fish and fishery products. Many developing nations having positive population growth rates and which generate larger youth population. Their food consumption habits and preferences directly affect the demand function. The opposite side of this coin is developed nations with slow or negative population growth rates. Food consumption pattern and food preferences of large elderly population have greater impact on global food supply chains. World’s largest fish consumer, Japan has experienced very low population growth and population is aging. Twenty five percent of the population is aged over 65 years. Their diet is based on fish and rice and aging population places more demand on traditional fish cantered diets (DeSilva and Yamao, 2006).
i. Ethnicity and Race
Ethnicity and race are other important determinants on demand function. Socio-cultural values, religious concerns, and attitudes make difference among the market places. Especially, for countries in East place high demand on wide variety of fish and fishery pared to other parts of the world. Moreover, countries having larger populations of Muslims are placing high demand on meat products than the fish. Species selection has great impact on food habits and religious concerns. . most preferred species for one market may be least preferred for another market. For an exampl