Bangladesh has seen a rise in commercial aquaculture production using pelleted feeds, with over 4 million homestead ponds cultivating fish and at least 280,000 tons of fish produced annually using commercial feeds. Fish consumption in Bangladesh is highly prevalent but unequal, with urban and wealthy consumers eating significantly more and spending more on fish compared to rural and poor consumers. Consumption patterns are also shifting as aquaculture grows in response to increasing urban demand for a more diverse selection of cultured fish products.

1. Bangladesh Aquaculture Review: Key findings Ben Belton Bangladesh Office

3. PRODUCTION

7. At least 280,000t of fish/year produced using commercially manufactured feeds (mainly pangasius and tilapia)

8. CONSUMPTION

9. Fish by far the most frequently consumed animal source food Frequency of consumption of food of animal origin (number of days in a 2 week period)2005 HIES data

10. An average consumer in the poorest quartile eats 57% less fish than a consumer in the richest quartile Daily per capita consumption of fish (g) by location and income quartile 2005 HIES data

11. An average consumer in the poorest quartile spends 65% less on fish than a consumer in the richest quartile Monthly per capita expenditure (Tk.) of fish by location and income quartile 2005 HIES data

12. Per capita fish consumption increasing significantly, but gap between rural and urban consumers widening Changes in fish consumption, 2000-2005 (HIES data)

13. Consumption patterns are changing Consumption of cultured fish by Dhaka consumers November 2010 survey data (n=150)

15. Aquaculture sector developing very rapidly in response to urban demand

16. Fish consumption volumes and preferences are changing, particularly in urban areas