Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aquaculture production and profitability in Bangladesh: a comprehensive analysis

Hoque, Rezaul and Haque, Md. Inja-Mamun and Hasan, Mahmud and Kumar, Ranajit and Mazumder, Tapan and Salehin, A. F. M. Nazmus and Ghosh, Ripon Kumar and Alam, Md. Zakiul and Mandal, Shankar Chandra (2023) Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aquaculture production and profitability in Bangladesh: a comprehensive analysis. Asian Fisheries Science Journal (Malaysia), 36. pp. 115-127. ISSN 2073-3720

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly spread across Bangladesh, affecting various sectors, including aquaculture. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the effects on aquaculture production and profitability in the country. The present study addresses this gap and investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic using a convenience questionnaire survey utilising face-to-face and telephonic interviews with 499 fish farmers from five prominent fish-culture regions (Satkhira, Khulna, Madaripur, Bhola, and Mymensingh) in Bangladesh from April to August 2020. The results show aquaculture production losses averaging 29.1 % during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the farmers reported a profit of USD3813 per hectare, which turned into a loss of USD2565.4 per hectare during the pandemic period. The standard multiple linear regression analysis indicated that large farms experienced a more significant impact on aquaculture production loss and economic loss during the pandemic period compared to small farms [β = 0.15, P = 0.029]. The causes for the production loss were identified by rank based quotient (RBQ), indicating that increased fish transportation costs and prices of seed and feed dominated during the lockdown. The lockdown and movement restrictions also reduced selling prices because of fewer buyers. The government provided financial support to the fish farmers, but only onethird (36 %) of the respondents received financial aid. The study suggests implementing medium and long-term measures, such as strengthening communication networks, digital marketing strategies and developing strategic planning initiatives to improve disaster management and resilience to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

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Abstract

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly spread across Bangladesh, affecting various sectors, including aquaculture. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the effects on aquaculture production and profitability in the country. The present study addresses this gap and investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic using a convenience questionnaire survey utilising face-to-face and telephonic interviews with 499 fish farmers from five prominent fish-culture regions (Satkhira, Khulna, Madaripur, Bhola, and Mymensingh) in Bangladesh from April to August 2020. The results show aquaculture production losses averaging 29.1 % during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the farmers reported a profit of USD3813 per hectare, which turned into a loss of USD2565.4 per hectare during the pandemic period. The standard multiple linear regression analysis indicated that large farms experienced a more significant impact on aquaculture production loss and economic loss during the pandemic period compared to small farms [β = 0.15, P = 0.029]. The causes for the production loss were identified by rank based quotient (RBQ), indicating that increased fish transportation costs and prices of seed and feed dominated during the lockdown. The lockdown and movement restrictions also reduced selling prices because of fewer buyers. The government provided financial support to the fish farmers, but only onethird (36 %) of the respondents received financial aid. The study suggests implementing medium and long-term measures, such as strengthening communication networks, digital marketing strategies and developing strategic planning initiatives to improve disaster management and resilience to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	aquaculture
AGROVOC Term:	fishery production
AGROVOC Term:	economic impact
AGROVOC Term:	impact assessment
AGROVOC Term:	economic analysis
AGROVOC Term:	government agencies
AGROVOC Term:	farmers
AGROVOC Term:	socioeconomic development
AGROVOC Term:	profitability
Geographical Term:	Bangladesh
Depositing User:	Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2025 02:00
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2025 02:00
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1320

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