Despite being the largest producer of fish in Africa, Nigeria’s fish importation bill has risen to ₦500 billion in the last 11 months.

This development has made Nigeria to become Africa’s largest importer of fish. In the first half of 2021, Mackerel fish worth ₦ 25.75 billion, herrings worth ₦35.53 and blue whiting specie with ₦62.4 billion were imported.

The Federal Ministry of Finance revealed that between July and November, fish worth over ₦200 billion was imported into the country.

Nigeria’s fish demand stands at 3.6 million tons annually, while it produces 1.1 million tons from all sources which includes aquaculture, artisanal and industrial sector.

The fish demand in the country has risen faster than supply, leading to an increase in the import share of consumption.

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