Socio-Economic determinants of profitability of capture fisheries trade in Barotse floodplain of Zambia

Abstract

This paper was set to assess profitability and its socio-economic determinants in Zambia. 192 traders from Mongu and Senanga districts were sampled. Profitability of fish trading was determined using gross margin analysis and socio-economic determinants of profitability were quantified using translog profit function. 82.3% of the respondents were female and 60% were of 26-40 years. Bream was most common traded fish. Gross margin analysis showed that trading is profitable with average gross margin of 7.25 Zambian Kwacha per kilogram per day. Profitability was affected by costs of capital, materials and how price capital, storage and labor interact. In conclusion, capture fisheries is a profitable enterprise and is affected by costs of capital, materials and how price capital, storage and labor interact. This implies that to increase profitability, traders should target high value markets that a less sensitive to changes in selling price and capacity building in cost management.