Market Marginalization of Artisanal Fishers

Despite the crucial role of artisanal fisheries in coastal Kenyan food security, a significant gap exists in understanding the specific constraints hindering their access to lucrative domestic markets, particularly post-COVID-19. This study aimed to identify and quantify barriers to domestic market access for artisanal fisherfolk in Kilifi and Kwale counties, addressing the question: what specific market dynamics and structural limitations impede their participation in high-value domestic trade?

We examined market chains across five sites, utilizing a mixed methods approach involving surveys with fisherfolk, fish traders and processors (n=100), focus group discussions(n=10) and key informant interviews(n=17). Analysis revealed resource insufficiency as a primary constraint in KIIs, with 44% of respondents reporting inadequate in infrastructure. Financial constraints (47%) and market related constraints (70%) were key constraints according to fish traders and fisherfolk respectively.

Post-harvest losses, reaching 40% in some sites, were exacerbated by limited cold storage and transport. Women, comprising 80% of processors, faced heightened competition and price volatility. BMU operational limitations further restricted market access.

We found that collective strategies, such as revitalizing fisher cooperatives, could potentially increase market access. Convenience sampling was a key limitation, reducing the generalizability of the findings; however, this approach was chosen to provide an initial snapshot of domestic market access for the targeted actors.

Therefore, we recommend the strengthening of BMU operational capacity and the revival of fisher cooperatives to enhance market infrastructure and bargaining power, improving domestic market access for artisanal fisherfolk.