Value Chain and Marketing Channels of Shrimp/Prawn Sector of Gher Farming System in Bangladesh

Shrimp/prawn industry plays an important role in value chain in Bangladesh. Shrimp/prawn is the second largest exporting industry followed by garment industry in Bangladesh. The present study aims to explore the detail summary of the value chain, and marketing channels and systems in shrimp/prawn industry of Bangladesh. A numbers of case study and farm level data were used in this study. Various agents are involved in the shrimp/prawn industry from production to final consumption stage as well as the exporting of international markets. The information of the every stage of marking channels from production level to international was collected through comprehensive questionnaires. The findings of the study shows that a large numbers value chain activity involves in shrimp/prawn industry from production stage of shrimp/prawn to final exporting stage to aboard. All segments of mud snail trading channel, fry trading channel, shrimp/prawn exporting channel as well as agro-based industry that established using shell of mud snails and legs of shrimp/prawn add a significant value chain. Male and female labors, as well as children are engaged in various activities in the trading channels in shrimp/prawn industry. Even though the farmers bear the all production risks, they did not get the profit like other agents of the marketing channels of shrimp/prawn industry. All agents of marketing channels gain more financial benefits than the producers of shrimp/prawn of Bangladesh.