4.2.4 Fish wholesalers
Fish wholesalers usually procure fish from the assembly markets and some may buy directly from the fish farmers. The volume of their business vary case by case. Fish wholesalers could be classified into the first wholesalers and the second wholesalers. The former may have very big volume of fish traded when they distribute fish to the latter who usually resided in other provinces and to the retailers, processors, and bulk consumers. The second wholesalers buy fish only from the first wholesalers and sell directly to retailers.
4.2.5 Fish processors
Fish processors become increasingly important as demand for processed fish increase. Traditional processed freshwater fish is in simple various forms to make consumer have alternative choices. Fish processors procure fresh fish from several sources. They may buy directly from the fish farmers, or from the assembly markets, wholesalers and also from the other processors. Small processors normally sell their product directly to the consumer. In many provinces, processed fish mostly in dried and salted form, are sold along the highway to serve the domestic travelers. Processors who carry large volume usually sell their product in the specific wholesale market in Bangkok, which trading involves only salted and dried fish.
Several processors operate cold storage, either owned or rent , for the purpose of exporting frozen fish. They may be hired by the broker and process fish by order, or they may export by themselves. These type of processors have large trade volume and buy fish directly from fish farmers and assemble markets.