F.A.R EHIGIATOR

The study examined shellfish consumption in Egor and Ovia-North East local government areaof Edo state. Specifically, the study investigated the socio economic characteristics of sellers, processing, storage and marketing activities of shellfish sellers. The market survey technique was used to collect data from the shellfish sellers across four markets (Oliha, Egor, Oluku andUselumarkets) in Egor and Ovia-North east local government area of Edo state. Structured questionnaire were used to collect data from 110 shellfish sellers using purposive and random sampling technique. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS descriptive analysis tools. 25questionnaires were administered to sellers in Oliha markets, 35 in Egor market, 20 inOlukumarket and 30 in Uselu market. From the study, it was observed that 100%of the sellers were females ;majority of the sellers (53.6%) were between 30-39 years and while those between40-49 constituted 30.0%. 95.5% of the sellers involved primarily in trading as their occupation. The study showed that 75.2% of sellers sold variety of shellfish; (91.8%) obtained their shellfish between 8am-10am; 93.6% sold processed shellfish. 91.8% used sun-drying as a method of preservation. 100% of the sellers transported their shellfish to the market by bus. 86.4%of the sellers purchased all sizes. 87.3% of the sellers engaged in individual buying. It was recommended that strategies that promote sustainability, accessibility, and affordability of shellfish products should be improved on and this could involve supporting local producers or promoting alternative distribution channels