THE VENEZUELAN SALT-FISH INDUSTRIES 



It was the experience of the mission that the prices listed above represent rather 

 true averages. It must, however, be pointed out that these prices fluctuate considerably 

 from place to place, from season to season, and because of the factors of market supply 

 and demand. Thus it was brought to the attention of the mission repeatedly, that during 

 the periods of abundance salt-fish could be purchased at prices considerably lower than 

 those prevailing at other times. Also, it was stated that firm long-term contracts would 

 lower prices. 



As listed above, the prices include raw material, labor, salt, and processing. It 

 is almost impossible to derive a true figure of cost of fish as landed since practically 

 no fisherman keeps cost records. Prices of fresh-fish listed in Tables 10 and 11 do not 

 represent true conditions either, for it can be seen that almost all varieties of salt-fish 

 sell for less, pound for pound, than fresh-fish of the same kind. Another factor that causes 

 difficulty in computing costs and prices is that the average fisherman does not include 

 the cost or value of his own labor or that of his family in cleaning and processing the 

 fish. 



Fishermen in Venezuela usually take several factors into consideration in fixing their 

 prices, but the personal equation often enters business dealings and may cause great varia- 

 tion in fined, quotations. These factors may b« listed as: costs of upkeep of fishing gear 

 and boat; cost of salt, food for his family, and clothing for his family; condition of the 

 market; keeping quality of his fish; his Indebtedness to middlemen or others; the distance 

 from consuming markets ; and on many other factors as well . 



With the present facilities and methods used for production and procMslng at theranch- 

 erias it is very doubtful that any species of fish salted and dried could be obtained for 

 less than Bs 4 per arroba (about $0.0474 per pound). This seems to be about the lowest 

 price to which fishermen will agree under pveCMt prices for salt and replacenents for fish- 

 ing gear. 



Table 10 - Approximate Average Prices Paid to the Primary Producer for Certain Varieties 



of Fish - 1942 



Variety 



Fargo 



Mero 



Carite 



Blanco 



Corocoro 



Jurel 



Lebranche 



Anchoa 



Lisa 



Cunaro 



Bocachico 



Curbina 



Cazon 



lA kilogram 

 2 A Bolivar: 



1! Z.2 pounds 

 Id. 30 U.S. 



Fresh 



Ba per kilo 



0.80 

 0.66 

 0.57 

 0.90 

 0.44 

 0.35 

 0.68 

 0.43 

 0.71 

 0.55 

 0.52 

 0.40 

 0»33 



Dollars per 

 pound (U.S.) 



0.109 

 0.090 

 0.078 

 0.X24 

 0.060 

 0.048 

 0.093 

 0.059 

 0.097 

 0.075 

 0.071 

 0.054 

 0.045 



Salt 



Bs2/ per kilo 1 / 

 0.65 



0.66 

 0.68 



0.49 

 0.49 

 0.72 

 0.54 

 0.68 

 0.69 

 0.57 

 0.61 



0»^? 



Dollars pep 

 pound (U.S.) 



o.oe9 



0.090 

 0.093 



0^7 



0.067 

 0.098 

 0.074 

 0.093 

 0.094 

 0.078 

 0.083 

 0.067 



LOCAL RKJUIRSMENTS 



Fish requirements for Venezuela can be set at approximately 100 million pounds annu- 

 ally. This figure is based on raw weight of fish as landed. This total, however, by no 

 means represents a saturation of the market since the people of Venezuela could consume 

 considerably more fishery products than at present. 



The local consumption of fish has increased markedly during the past 2 years which 



