Zimbabwe Facing Huge Fish Supply Deficit
Local fish producers have been challenged to increase production to meet local demand which is around 60 000 tonnes per year.
Food Federation and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe (FFAWUZ) secretary general Runesu Dzimiri recently said Zimbabwe’s fish output averages 18 400 tonnes, thereby creating a total deficit of 41 600 tonnes per annum.
Dzimiri was addressing delegates at the just-ended Seafood Workers Division Conference held in Iceland. He said, as quoted by NewZimbabwe.com:
According to official statistics, Zimbabwe’s fish output averages 18 400 tonnes every year against a total annual demand of 60 000 tonnes thereby creating a total deficit of 41 600 tonnes which is partly met through imports.
In 2021 alone the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade reported that Zimbabwe imported meat, fish and seafood preparations valued at US$2.62 million.
… As a union, we call for investments into the sector because this has the potential to create more jobs in the sector which is much healthier for our membership.
There is also a need for partnerships with the Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector which are beginning to crop up in the fish industry.
Dzaimiri also expressed concern over the current poor remuneration, sexual harassment and inadequate protective clothing for the workers operating in the local fish industry.
Zimbabwe’s biggest fish processing company is Lake Harvest established in 1997 to produce high-quality tilapia for the European and Southern African markets.
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