Scarcity of Fish Looms As Importation Drops

There are strong indications that the country may soon experience scarcity of imported frozen fish even as marketers of the product have complained of a sharp decline in the level at which fish is being imported.
Shipping Position Daily investigations revealed that the prices of the available commodity have recently been increased while some of the fish sellers at Lagos markets can no longer afford to buy the product from their dealers.

There are strong indications that the country may soon experience scarcity of imported frozen fish even as marketers of the product have complained of a sharp decline in the level at which fish is being imported.
Shipping Position Daily investigations revealed that the prices of the available commodity have recently been increased while some of the fish sellers at Lagos markets can no longer afford to buy the product from their dealers.
Our correspondent also learnt that some of the fishing companies that are based in Lagos State are gradually winding up as a result of the low importation of fishes.
Some of the most sort after products in Lagos markets that are currently in high demand but unavailable includes; Herrings, Titus and Mackerel, this has made traders to lament on their only means of livelihood.
Documents obtained from Nigeria Port Authority [NPA] revealed   that three vessels laden with frozen fish are expected to come into the Lagos seaports, this week with a total 6,800 metric tonnes. This shows a drastic decline in importation as compared to how it used to be.
A cold room operator [names withheld] told Shipping Position Daily in Lagos yesterday that the commodity is gradually off the Nigeria market.
He explained that for over 10 weeks, importation of frozen fish into the Lagos ports has reduced drastically leaving dealers and sellers to jostle for supply.
According to our source, fish as an imported commodity cannot be compared to poultry products and rice that could be smuggled into the country through land borders; he predicted that the price of fish may go higher by as much as 70 % in the next few weeks.
He predicted that ‘’Nigeria should expect scarcity of frozen fish like: shawa, kote and mackerel because importation of the commodity is at the lowest ebb at the moment and even some of the fishing companies are winding up’’
Some fish sellers who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos last week however assured that even though the commodity is scarce, the price is still affordable.
They lamented that the scarcity has forced many of their members out of the thriving business.
An official of Banarly Nigeria Limited; a known fish importing company who prefers anonymity confirmed to our correspondent that  the essential commodity is scarce at the moment.