The fact that aquaculture could undertake market-oriented production bestows certain specific advantages, but it also underlines the need for appropriate market surveys prior to large-scale production programmes. Such surveys should take into account consumer acceptance, production costs, form in which the product can best be marketed and processing costs when relevant. Discussions in the Workshop noted wide variation in consumer needs in the region. In many areas there is a distinct preference for freshwater fish and when indigenous species are cultured there are no major difficulties in marketing them. When non-indigenous species unfamiliar to the consumers are cultured there will be a need for sales promotion and sometimes product development. With changes in patterns of society and the increased employment of women in industries the need for convenience foods is increasing in countries like Cuba and Mexico and even unfamiliar aquaculture products can in such circumstances be processed and marketed in "ready to cook" or ready to eat form. When aquaculture is for export purposes, foreign market information, product specifications and quality requirements are of special significance. These have to be monitored on a continuing basis. The inclusion of aquaculture products in the contemplated Regional Fish Market Service would be of benefit in this region.
No major difficulties are expected in absorbing the additional aquaculture production in the existing markets if adequate arrangements are made in advance. Special marketing arrangements do not appear necessary for subsistence or small-scale farming as most of the production will be consumed locally in the fresh state. The majority of countries of the region have already established, or have planned the creation of, marketing agencies for the benefit of both producers and consumers. These agencies are expected to be used also for the marketing of aquaculture products. In order to promote aquaculture development, these agencies should establish policies for price formation and quotas to be handled, taking into full account the production and market conditions.
