Factors determining consumer preferences for pangasius and tilapia fish in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted to identify the factors affecting consumer preferences for
pangasius and tilapia fish in Bangladesh considering consumers’ fish consumption habit. A total
of 150 respondents were interviewed following random sampling technique from three upazilas of
Mymensingh district. Data were analyzed with a combination of descriptive statistics and
mathematical and statistical techniques. Majority of the consumers purchased pangasius and
tilapia fish 1-5 times in a month. Consumers of medium income level bought the highest amount
of pangasius and tilapia fish in a month. The study revealed that consumers’ expenditure on
pangasius and tilapia would be decreased by 6.1% with an increase in their income by 10%.
Consumers preferred pangasius and tilapia fish mostly due to cheaper price than other fish,
availability round the year and reasonable price (ranked as 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively).
Freshness of fish, color of fish and family income; and price of fish, freshness of fish and taste of
fish had significant effect on consumer preferences in purchasing pangasius and tilapia fish,
respectively. The study recommends that proper authority should monitor fish farms and check
the fish quality as well as control fish sales price in the market to enhance consumer preferences.