The primary data used in this study were a combination of the producer and consumer field surveys carried out by the International Center of Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM-The World Fish Center) and its partner institutions under the “Dissemination and Evaluation of Genetically Improved farmed tilapia in Asia” (DEGITA) and the “Genetic Improvement of Carps Species in Asia” projects, conducted during the periods 1995-1996 and 1998-1999, respectively (ICLARM, 1998 and 2000). Complete details of the sampling and data collection procedures, as well as the instruments used in both the surveys are provided in Dey et al. (2000) and ICLARM (2001), respectively. In addition to primary data, secondary data sources from country reports, published literature, FAO databases (for various years), reports and publications and Asian Development Bank indicators were also compiled. In examining demand for fish in general and freshwater species in particular in these countries, elasticities from previous studies (Dey, 2000a, Chern, 1997; Chern and Wang, 1994; Huang and Bouis, 1996; Estrada and Bantilan, 1991; and Bhatta, 2000) were compiled and presented.
