Factors Influencing Producers’ Marketing Decisions in the Louisiana Crawfish Industry

Factors influencing farmer selection of a crawfish marketing outlet were analyzed using 2008 survey data from the Louisiana crawfish industry. Most farmers sell to wholesalers, followed by direct to consumer, direct to retailer, and finally to processors. A relatively high percentage of farmers grade crawfish prior to sale, with fewer washing, peeling, and purging crawfish. Probit results show farm size, farm income, household income, age, education, and pre-market grading and washing operations significantly affecting farmer selection of marketing outlet