OVERSUPPLY & PRICE VOLATILITY OF LAWLAW FISH IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BULAN, SORSOGON, PHILIPPINES: A SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYSIS

Abstract

Oversupply and price volatility remain the perennial problems of the local fishing industry, which frequently results to the fishers’ loss of income and wastage. Through the illustration of the supply chain of lawlaw in the municipality of Bulan, factors that contribute to oversupply and price volatility were identified. The study conducted interviews and focus group discussions to the entities involved in the supply chain, particularly the fishers and fish brokers and dealers. Participants held that factors contributing to oversupply are the instances of low demand from sardines’ factories and overharvesting during peak seasons, while factors contributing to price volatility are the low demand from end-buyers, ice shortage, high cost of operation, and price manipulation of local brokers. Fishers recommend installation of cold storage and ice plant facilities, formation of active fisherfolks’ organization and cooperative, and setting of price cap. Local brokers also recommend to regulate harvest during heydays and urge sardines’ factories to increase order booking. Both entities recommend the expansion of market by inviting more buyers and investors through local government intervention. The study recommends the serious intervention of the local government through sound policies and economic plan. Through the identified factors and the suggestions provided by the entities in the supply chain, measures that can be provided to local policymakers were proposed in the study to address the problems of the local fishing industry.