THE VENEZUELAN SALT-FISH INDUSTRIES 



prices soar. During the harvest time when production is high, prices drop. This fluctuat- 

 ing price condition also tends to limit production, for producers will not process fish in 

 excess of their probable sale. / 



There is a considerable spread between the prices paid to the fishermen or primary 

 producer euid the prices paid by the consumer. In one instance, carlte bringing the fisher- 

 men about Bs 0.87 per kilo was sold at La Guaira retkil at Bs 1.75 p«r kilo. This spread 

 is taken up by the middleman's charges, transportation, merchandising costs, and profits. 



Much salt-fish from the Maracaibo is transported into the Andes. It is landed at Mar- 

 acaibo by boat , then transported by truck to such centers as Mototan , Muchuchies , and Tnijillo. 

 At these interior points weekly markets are held and people come from miles around to buy 

 salt-fish and to sell agricultural and other products. 



Locally produced salt-fisfi is now being sold in increasing quantities to the large 

 haciendas in the eastern part of Venezuela. Previously the staple was canned California 

 sardines and other inexpensive items of that type. Since the war such commodities have 

 become practically unobtainable and are being replaced by salt-fish. 



Small quantities of salt-fish have been exported to Curacao, Aruba and Trinidad, which 

 are usually delivei'ed to the wholesaler in the boats of the seller. 



From January to September 1943, inclusive, 506,850 kilograms of salt-fish were exported 

 to Trinidad, Curacao-Aruba , and Surina-s. These exports were valued at a reported Ba 354,937 

 or about $0.10 per pound (U.S. currency). Kxports of salt-fish to other American Republics 

 were not recorded by the Customs . 



As a matter of interest, exports of fresh-fish to the above-named destinations amounted 

 to 470,500 kilograms valued at Bs 426,350 and 365,692 kilograms of canned fish valued at 

 Bs 661,630. 



COSTS AND PRICES 



The calculation of costs and prices for raw and processed fish is difficult because 

 the numerous factors which influence them are not constant for locality or time period. 

 Little definite data can be secured. Producing and processing costs normally vary but lit- 

 tle — in wartime, however, increased costs for fishing gear and other essentials make them 

 rise. During periods of relative scarcity, prices for fish are high and during periods of 

 abundance prices are much lower. Effects of the war have cut off much of Venezuela's for- 

 merly considerable imports of cheap canned fish, and the deficit is now being made up to 

 some extent by Venezuelan canned and salt-fish. The increased demand for fresh-fish in 

 Curacao and Aruba has led to the development of a considerable trade. Owners of motor launch- 

 es and sailboats now call at many of the formerly isolated fish-producing communities and 

 buy the fish as they are brought in by the fishermen. These fish are iced and taken to 

 Curacao and Aruba for aale. Such activities have caused considerable increases in the price 

 of fish — so much so that some Venezuelan communities often leek supplies of reasonably priced 

 fish. Price data on Venezuelan fish are shown in Tables 10 and 11. 



In October 1943 the following quotations for well-prepared, dry salt-fish were made 

 at Isla Coche. Most dry salt-fish in Venezuela is sold by the arroba (11.5 kilos) or by 

 the quintal (46 kilos) : 



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