ABSTRACT
In this paper, we review, compare and contrast the characteristics of
seafood supply chains in developed and developing countries, using the value
chain governance approach. It is identified that the linkage between poverty
reduction and development of seafood industry in developing countries is
contingent on the nature of chain governance. Based on the comparative and
contrastive results, recommendations for enhancing the functionality of
poverty alleviation for seafood supply chain in developing countries are
proposed.
INTRODUCTION
The fishery sector contributes significantly to many coastal economies in
generating income, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. In addition, the
fishery sector is one of the key contributors to food security and poverty
alleviation in many developing nations. It is deemed as being highly significant
in most Southeast Asian countries, both in trade and consumption, and employment
and poverty terms (Thorpe, 2005). Global fishery production increased, at an
annual rate of 1.7 per cent, from 130 mmt (million metric tons) in 2000 to 140
mmt in 2004. While developed nations registered a slight decline of 1.5 per cent
during the 2000-2004 period, they managed to increase their production at an
annual rate of 2.7 per cent, raising its share from 75.5 per cent in 2000 to
78.5 per cent in 2004. During the same period, the ten Southeast Asian nations
showed an even more impressive growth at an annual rate of 5.7 per cent reaching
almost 22 mmt in 2004 (FAO FishStat 2006).
Much of the increase in fishery production can be attributed to trade
liberalisation and globalisation, resulting in a significant increase in global
fish trade. Global fish export increased from $55.6 billion in 2000 to
$71.7 billion in 2004, at an annual rate of 6.6 per cent. The relative
importance of fish trade can be seen in its export share of total merchandise
exports and agricultural exports. In 2004, fish export share to total
merchandise export was less than 1 per cent globally, but fish export share of
the developing countries was almost twice as much as that of the developed
countries at 1.1 per cent.