Survey on the idle capacity of fish processing (freezing) plants in India - 2. East coast

The extent of idle capacity in the fish processing (freezing) plants in the east coast of India estimated by stratified random sampling and the factors responsible for the same are reported. The estimates of idle capacity of fish processing plants in the east coast for the years 1978 and 1979 were respectively 75.9% and 72.5% on the basis of 250 working days per annum and double shift per day. The percentage errors of estimates worked out to 6.9 for 1978 and 4.7 for 1979. The corresponding figures were worked out on the basis of 200 working days also. Substantial under-utilisation of plants in all the maritime states in the east coast accounted mainly to non-availability of raw material, high cost of production, shortage of power, scarcity of ice and potable water during peak season and frequent labour troubles.

Raw material supply to shrimp freezing plants: some significant aspects

The shrimp processing plants located at any particular place receive their raw material supplies from local and outside centres. The raw material received, the form in which it was received, the relative contribution by local and outside centres and the seasonal variation in the supplies were studied with respect to the shrimp processing plants located at three places - Cochin, Veraval and Kakinada.