Seafood is a major commodity in the South West region of Nigeria owing to its vast economic importance. However, the demand-supply gap continues to widen hence, sustainable seafood production is therefore paramount through efficient and effective marketing to ensure the transfer of seafood products from the producers to the final consumers. This study therefore, assesses seafood marketing in Nigerian coastline: the case of Lagos and Ondo States in the South West, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to collect data from 180 respondents primarily using well-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed and seafood market structure was measured using the Gini coefficient (GC), and Lorenz curve indexes.
The results of the two States; Lagos and Ondo indicated an inequality in the sales or income of marketing actors (0.71) and (0.52). This means that there is non-uniformity in the prices of seafood in the study area that is, prices were determined based on the bargaining powers of the buyers and sellers. The result further reveals an imperfect competitive market systems in the study area. The Lorenz curve buttresses the Gini coefficient value Figure 1 and 2. The curves bowed outward towards the northeast for both States. There is a close proximity in the value of plotted data in Lagos State, Nigeria compared to that of Ondo State, Nigeria.
The study revealed that seafood market was under strong oligopoly at concentration ratio of 71% and 38% in Lagos and Ondo States respectively. The study therefore, recommends that effective programmes, policies and optimum sensitization that will enhance the sustainability of seafood marketing should be put in place. This will enhance an orderly seafood market, solve marketing challenges, break the oligopolistic nature of the seafood market and provide a market responsive to the demand and supply forces.