Millions of fish consumers are heaving a sigh of relief as fresh import quotas for fish issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) recently helped to cool down prices across the country.

For instance, herring prices have come down from N7,600 to N4,000 per carton. In the case of horse mackerel, the price came down to N5,800 from more than N9,500 per carton.

The titus species is being sold in the market for N6,800, down from a level of N10,200 per carton.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) figures, Nigeria currently has a shortage of 2.6 million tonnes of fish. While the global average of fish consumption is 18.7 kilogrammes per person, Nigerian per capita consumption of fish is only 11.2 kilogrammes.

Nigerian fish supply consists of 600,000 metric tonnes of local production and the balance is mainly covered by imports of frozen fish. Frozen fish are caught in high seas by trawlers in Asia, Europe and Russian the major markets from where Nigeria imports fish. Nigerian domestic production consists predominantly of farmed fish, mainly catfish. The varieties of frozen fish that Nigeria imports are not available in Nigerian coastal waters. Besides, Nigerian trawling industry has been seriously affected by oil spillage, piracy and non-sustainable fishing practices.

“The impact of any major reduction in imports would only mean that catfish will be the only variety of fish available in Nigeria,” a fishery expert, Solomon Anichebe, had said.

He opined that Nigerians have gotten used to varieties of imported frozen fish over the past decades including herring or shawa, and sardine which are popular in the North, horse mackerel (kote), sardinella (agbodu), and mackerel which are staples in the East and blue whiting (panla) which are favourites in the South-west.
Only the catfish has become accustomed to breeding in Nigeria, he says.

Following representation and prayers from numerous consumer bodies and associations, pointing to the apparent shortfall in supply and the prohibitive prices, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture recently approved issuance of more quotas to deserving importers.

According to sources, the quotas were issued based on proven track record of high quality, fair prices, efficient storage, back up power, cold chain management and firm commitments for fish farming in Nigeria.

The Ministry of Agriculture aims to increase local fish production in Nigeria, using the enormous water resources available in the country.

Further to the above quotas, the markets responded very positively to the consumers resulting in drastic price cuts in mass consumption fish species.
Kayode, who grills and sells fish in Lagos, expressed his relief that the major varieties of fish were now much cheaper and thereby he is able reach more customers.

Another vendor, Sule Audu, said he finds it much easier to source fish to roast due to availability and more affordable prices.

He said the scarcity had affected his daily earnings, which has now improved greatly.

From Kano, Abdullahi Abubakar, a fish dealer for the last 15 years said fish farming was hugely challenging and it might take some years for Nigeria to become self-sufficient.

He praised the federal government’s decision to issue more import quotas to meet the common man’s daily demands.

He said now Shawa (herring) is affordable for the all customers.


http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/agric-ministry-crashes-fish-prices-to-affordable-levels/196779/

The only authority that can confirm this news to me is Mama Bassey, until I see her I will still doubt the Ministry of Agric and United Nations

ITbomb:
The only authority that can confirm this news to me is Mama Bassey, until I see her I will still doubt the Ministry of Agric and United Nations

and who is mama Bassey

Theory of lies.

Dwindling Economy


Doyin Okupe‬ says #‎Jonathan‬ is...."Jesus Christ bearing Your Cross." #‎GOOD‬ POINT.

Since we Christians believe the Crucifixion of Jesus brought Redemption, Let's nail the 'Quota System Ph.D' Jonathan to the Cross, so that Nigeria can be salvaged from the impending doldrum.

#iThink | #iBelieve | #iNewNigeria

#TakeBackNigeria | #‎iStand4NewNigeria

election don reach finish them eye don clear ba. de block importation of fish instead of buying fishing trawlers for fishermen.dumb asses. which kin phd all these people get?minister just de fall purdue hand

Mr president, keep doing it. Those who are wit u are much more than those against u

Which kin lie be this? Choi.

It is just a matter of time.