Analyzing Production Feasibility and Market Potential For Florida Aquaculture Catfish Products |
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Authors: | Colleen M. Clancy Thomas H. Spreen David J. Zimet Surajudeen O. Olowolayemo |
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Affiliation: | Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611 USA;Agricultural Research and Education Center, RR 3 Box 4370, Quincy, Florida 32351 USA;Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 USA |
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Abstract: | A spatiotemporal linear programming model (GAMS) was constructed to simulate the catfish production and marketing system in the U.S. in order to study the economic feasibility of Florida entering the aquaculture catfish industry. Evaluation of base model results and sensitivity analysis were used to identify constraints to the potential expansion of the catfish industry in Florida. Results indicated production and processing costs were more important in determining the locus of production and processing than were processing capacity, storage costs and capacity, and transportation costs. Thus, existing industry geographic concentration is likely to continue, but small new processing plants could develop proximate markets for fresh product. |
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