Marketing Efficiency of Fresh Fish Trade in Cochin and Veraval

Price spread is an important index of marketing efficiency. This study reports the price spread between landing centres, wholesale and retail markets in Cochin (Kerala) and Veraval (Gujarat) for important varieties of fish. The price spread is very high both in wholesale and retail markets. While in wholesale market the price spread ranged from 1.11% to 46%, it was as high as 471% in the retail market at Veraval and 1410% at Cochin. The range of price spread was found to be very high during the periods of low price and high catch, and low during high price and low catch season. The benefit of high price spread accrue to the middlemen, depriving both the consumer and the fishermen of a fair price.