The Production Potential Analysis of Traditional Seafood Processing Industry around Songkhla Lake Basin

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the production potential of the traditional seafood processing industry around Songkhla Lake Basin.  By applying the census method in the specific areas, the data were collected from 296 producers. Simple descriptive statistics, i.e. percentage, arithmetic mean and standard error were employed to analyze the raw data. The results of the production potential analysis of the traditional seafood processing industry could be classified into 5 categories and could be summarized as follows. First, in term of production site, it was found that Singhanakorn district and Muang district, Songkla Province were the most potential production areas of this industry. Second, in term of quantity of the products, we found that dried fish, dried squeeze, dried-sweet shrimp, shrimp paste and dried shrimp, respectively were the high potential products. Third, regarding the production technology, it was clear that most of the producers applied traditional simple technologies and inadequate sanitation production system. Forth, regarding the cost of production, it was found that the high cost products were dried-sweet shrimp, dried shrimp, dried squeeze and sweet fish products, respectively. For all products, it was clear that the variable cost shared more than 90% in the total cost. Comparing the average cost and selling price of the products, the producers could earn profit from all products. However, the profits varied according to the products. The products that gave high profit/kg consisted of shrimp oil, dried-sweet shrimp, dried shrimp and dried squeeze, respectively. Fifth, regarding the desire and readiness to develop the products of the producers, it seemed that most of them did not intend to develop the products.  This could be explained as follows. From the producers’ perception, product development was unnecessary because it would increase production cost and led to low profit.