COST AND VALUE ANALYSIS IN THE DECISION TO COMMERCIALLY PROCESS TILAPIA PRODUCTS OF A COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE FARMER GROUP IN UTTARADIT PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the costs and determine the rate of return associated with the commercial processing of Nile tilapia products conducted by a community enterprise in Uttaradit Province. Data were collected through random sampling of farmer groups and in-depth interviews with six participants. The results revealed that the cost of raising Nile tilapia was 62,998.42 THB per cycle per cage, consisting of variable costs of 62,954.84 THB (99.952%) and fixed costs of 29.98 THB (0.048%). For frozen tilapia processing, annual depreciation expenses were estimated at 17,460 THB, with an average production cost of 47.73 THB per fish and an average selling and administrative cost of 140.05 THB per fish. The selling price of processed frozen tilapia, including delivery, was set at 187.78 THB per fish. With a 100% profit margin, the selling price would increase to 375.56 THB (approximately 376 THB) per fish. Break-even analysis indicated that commercial processing was financially viable, with the break-even point at 1,400 fish per production cycle. To achieve a target profit of 10,000 THB, the enterprise would need to process 1,608 fish.