6. SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE PRODUCTION OF MINCED FISH FILLETS

The major end products from minced sardinella fillets (fish balls, sandwich, stuffed fish, stuffed eggs, wrapped eggs) are prepared and consumed within the household but are seldomly sold. Therefore, the survey team based its data collection on the semi-product itself in order to provide figures on the socio-economic importance. The purpose was to assess the contribution of minced small pelagic fillets to income and employment of poorer groups, to food security of the whole community, to the reduction of post-harvest losses and to utilization of low value fish species. The data analysed in previous chapters (5.3 and 5.4) are relevant indicators of the social importance of this product. They relate to the volume of minced small pelagic fillets produced daily in relation with the total quantities of fresh small pelagics landed, and to numbers and social status of people involved. This chapter will cover mainly the economics and the consumption patterns of minced fillets.

6.1 Profitability of the fish mincing service

The investment costs (IC) include the fixed costs and depreciation of the facilities listed in table 7 while variable expenses related to the cost of packaging material, rent of stall, water, taxes and waste removal. For purpose of comparison, a clear distinction was made between operators applying bad handling and processing practices (operators 1) and the two women who had relatively hygienic practices (operators 2).

6.1.1 Investment costs

The only differences in investment between the two types of operators lie in the number of containers and knives used. Some of the operators 1 had either a wooden table or a wooden stool, while others rent a concrete cement block to install their mincer on. On the other hand, all the operators 2 rent a concrete cement block as the major component of their stall.

Table 9: Total investment costs of two types of fish mincing operations.

Despite the use of more containers and knives that could have increased their initial capital, operators 2 have less investment costs than operators 1. This is because their initial capital does not include the cost for the concrete cement, as they rent it while operators 1 invest in wooden table or bench.

The more equipment (for the same purpose) the operator has, the longer the lifespan of each. Though they were cheaper than a table the stools are weaker and have a shorter lifespan, which puts pressure on the monthly investment cost. It is therefore advisable to have relatively expensive equipment, but which is durable, easily manageable in terms of hygiene and gives more comfort (a table and a bench rather than 2 stools).

6.1.2 Operating costs

Table 10: Operating costs of two types of fish mincing operations.

* Entry fees to Central market are 200 CFA F. No additional cost is paid in this case (no stall rent fees for the display).

The lower taxes were recorded with women at the entrance of Castor market. As previously said, women operators 2 used more water to clean the fish and equipment, in addition, they paid rental fees for the stall which belongs to an individual. These were the reasons of their higher operating costs. The monthly costs were calculated on the basis of 24 working days a month (average of six days per week).

6.1.3 Returns

Table 11: Monthly income of two types of fish mincing operators.

The gross income (Table 11) was based on a daily income ranging from CFA F200 to 3 000 (average CFA F1 525) for operators 1 and from CFA F750 to 4 250 (average CFA F2 650) for 2, during 24 days per month.

Though their service was expensive, operators 2 received more customers, and despite their higher total monthly costs, they had the highest net income. These figures confirm the field observation about difference in customers’ flow between women at the entrance of and those inside Castor market. They are also sufficient indicators of the consciousness of certain type of consumers with respect to hygiene and safety of food.

The average net monthly income of CFAF36 600 and CFAF63 600 respectively indicate that fish mincing operation is a significant source of income, in view of the social status of the people involved. This enabled them even to subscribe to the thrift collectors’ scheme, an informal saving scheme that they contributed to between CFAF200 and 1 000 daily. About 46 percent of the operators interviewed earn between 36 600 and 63 600, while 18 percent have more than CFAF63 600 per month.

It should be mentioned that this is much higher than the minimum wage at the time of the study, which is equivalent to CFAF35 000 in Senegal.

6.2 Consumption patterns

Sardinella was originally consumed whole by poorer communities for their affordability in comparison with other fish species and meat products. In addition minced fillets have other advantages:

- They do not have bones, which are usually unpleasant to many consumers. A recurrent reply from customers who never ate whole sardinella or bonga but preferred minced flesh of the same species, was that they did not have to remove the bones while in whole form, whatever the vigilance one always faces the problem of bones in the throat.

- Sardinella or small pelagics in general are always regarded as fish for the poor.

- If this is particularly true for the whole fish, it is unlikely for minced products, as they are consumed across almost all strata of the urban population. In effect, once minced it is practically impossible to detect by sensorial assessment the species of origin. This justified the steady trend towards minced small pelagics fillets by medium income groups and other people who, under normal circumstances do not buy these species for their reputation of being fish for the poor. This shift in habit is also the consequence of the scarcity and high prices of demersal fish (mainly processed or prepared for export to European Union markets), and the rising price of meat products.

- It is in the medium income groups that imaginative ideas on products, like fish balls for attractive presentations of meals and salad, wrapped boiled eggs or stuffed eggs as entree or main dish, were noted. This would be an interesting outlet to explore and harness.

- Minced sardinella fillets lower the housewife’s shopping basket. This was equally perceptible in families where sandwiches with minced small pelagics have replaced canned products sandwiches.

- Minced end products enable a diversification/variation in meals.