Padaek distribution and business management in Vientiane capital, Lao PDR

摘要

This study presents distribution characteristics of a fermented freshwater fish paste product called padaek and the business management of padaek stakeholders in Vientiane capital in Lao PDR. Padaek stakeholders such as fanners, middlemen, and retailers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The stakeholders' responses demonstrate that there are seven types of distribution spread over three patterns. A typical distribution channel takes place with a middleman-intervention pattern inwhich middlemen mediate between farmers and retailers. Regarding business conditions, farmers and retailers claim a higher gross margin than do middlemen. Furthermore, 70% of farmers face difficulties in obtaining fish, whereas 39% and 31% of retailers,31% and 23% of middlemen, respectively, confront difficulties of insufficient funds and market competition in padaek business management.