K2.5 bn fish exported through Zambia

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 11:20:43 +0000

By AARON CHIYANZO

NEIGHBOURING countries are exporting over K2.5 billion worth of fish through Zambian borders to the Congo DR every year, a market which local fish farmers can take advantage of after offsetting the current fish deficit, says Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Michael Katambo.

And fisheries director Patrick Ngalande indicated that from the 126, 345 metric tonnes of fish which was imported into Zambia last year, about 100,000 MT was exported to the Congo and other markets.

Mr Ngalande pointed out that 89.6 percent of the fish came from Namibia, 5.7 percent from Asia and China, Zimbabwe 2.83 percent and 1.63 percent from South Africa.

He explained that the fish exported informally was very close to the amount imported formally into the country.

“Fish imports in 2016 was 126,345 MT. This fish came from Namibia at 89.6 pc, Asia and China 5.7 pc, Zimbabwe 2.83 pc, South Africa 1.63 pc. Informal fish exports however were recorded at 97,119 MT for the year 2016,” said Mr Ngalande.

Meanwhile, Mr Katambo explained that the fish being informally exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo was only using Zambia as a transit route.

He assured that the monitoring system for all fish exports at the borders was very efficient as the export ban for locally generated fish was still in effect.

Mr Katambo said that Government was putting up measures to ensure that Zambia became a net exporter of fish in the next few years after offsetting the local deficit.

He pointed out that Government was subsidizing local fish production in order to accelerate the agenda for the country becoming a net exporter of the commodity.

Mr Katambo said that local fish farmers could take advantage of the fish market in neighbouring Congo DR and other countries if they beefed up production.

The minister also stressed the need for more women and the youth across the country to participate in fish farming.

He said that Government was ready to facilitate and provide the necessary support to anyone willing to venture into fish production.