Marketers Raise Alarm Over High Cost of Imported Fish

Traders involved in the sale of imported fish in different parts of Port Harcourt have raised alarm over arbitrary increase in the price of fish by importers.
Shipping Position Daily checks in Port Harcourt revealed that market women who used the business to support their families are also crying out, begging the fish importers to reduce the prices.

Traders involved in the sale of imported fish in different parts of Port Harcourt have raised alarm over arbitrary increase in the price of fish by importers.
Shipping Position Daily checks in Port Harcourt revealed that market women who used the business to support their families are also crying out, begging the fish importers to reduce the prices.
It was gathered that the prices of fish have gone up by as high as 200 per cent as fishes sold between N50 to N100 at the open market, now sells for as high as between N250 to N400.  While others previously sold for N400 now goes for between N600 to N700
For example at Azuabie Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt, (an imported fish smoking Zone at Port Harcourt City), Mrs. Evelyn Ikubienembo, who has been involved in fish business for 30 years said “This Imported fish is so expensive, please tell the white people catching the fish to reduce their prices. Tell the importers too”, Mrs. Ikubienembo stated.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Cecilia Arthur, said that local fishing activities has drastically reduced because of the activities of oil companies on their waters.
She therefore requested the importers of fish in Port Harcourt to stop arbitrary increase of the cost of fish. She said that government has a role to play, in bringing down the cost of fish to an affordable price, particularly for the average citizens. “Our Azuabie Roads are bad. This makes accessibility to this market difficult. Transportation cost here is also high, which is not helping matters”, Mrs. Arthur stated.
Some of the fish importers in Port Harcourt, who were contacted, declined comments on the new price regime.
However, close source to some of the dealers attributed the hike to forex trade as well as the recent removal of subsidy on petroleum products.