The government has revealed that although the fish maw from Nile perch is emerging as another major international export product, whose main market destination is China, the maw still has the challenge of illegal smuggling to Tanzania and Kenya, where the official tax regime is much lower than in Uganda. Tanzania levies only USD 2.5 per kg, while Uganda charges 8% of the total batch value.
The Minister of State for Animal Industry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Bright Rwamirama, however, says that when the Chinese market export protocol is finalized, the official access to the lucrative Chinese market will improve the value of the maw products. Uganda’s main destinations for other fish and fishery products are regional markets (especially Kenya and DRC).
Meanwhile, in a major boost to fish exports, NARO developed a fish smoking kiln that processes high-quality smoked fish by reducing the cancer-causing compounds in our smoked fish from 40,000 ppb to 0.88 ppb, well below the maximum limit of 2 ppb set by international markets such as EU and USA markets. Women fish traders at Katosi and Kiyindi landing sites have adopted the technology, and their businesses are thriving.
Overall, Uganda currently generates about USD 200 million in fish exports, making it the 2nd largest export commodity after coffee.
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