Size preference and consumer perception on tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) fish in noakhali distric

Abstract:

The study was conducted to identify the size preference of tilapia by consumer and the factors influencing consumer preferences of tilapia fish in two sub-districts of Noakhali district. A total of 60 respondents were interviewed from four fish markets among them two fish markets in the urban area of Noakhali Sadar, namely Sonapur Bazar, Poura Bazar and two fish markets in the rural area of Subornochar upazila, namely Haris Chowdhury Bazar; Khaser Hat Bazar to carry out comparative studies of consumer preference towards tilapia and its sizes. Data were collected through a questionnaire and direct observation. The preference for tilapia fish was high for consumers belonging to middle income group both in urbannd rural areas. The majority of the consumers purchased tilapia fish 3 times half a month. Consumers of medium income level bought the highest amount of tilapia fish per month. The lowest marginal profit obtained from the small size of tilapia especially less than 200 g in size whose marginal profit was 13±2.4 taka/kg and the highest marginal profit obtained from the medium size like 201 g to 400 g whose marginal profit was 18.25±2.4 taka/kg. It is a general tendency of the consumers to prefer medium size (201-300 g) fish compared to smaller (<200 g) and larger (>300 g). The major reasons behind consumer preference tilapia fish included cheaper price compared to other fish, year-round availability, family income and reasonable market price. Tilapia was the third and fourth position in the case of choosing among the rural and urban people respectively. Induce of hormone and hybridizing were the main factors for ignoring tilapia fish and most of the people preferred to buy no hormone induced and none hybridizing tilapia avoiding size consideration. However it was not sure how the consumers determined the hybrid one and it seems all were based on perceptions. Majority of the consumers’ recommended size was 151 to 200 g in case of no hormone induced tilapia fish.