The Norwegian Seafood Council (NCS) has urged the federal government to include stockfish and its heads in its zero import duties list to ensure the affordability of the produce.
The NCS held its one-day interactive seminar for stockfish stakeholders and regulatory authorities on Wednesday in Lagos.
The Royal Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Svien Baera, noted that the inclusion of the product would help in making it affordable in the country.
Baera said the Nigerian government should intervene in the sustainability of the sector through the zero import duties on the produce due to the low quota of cod (the primary fish for stockfish) and its subsequent price increase.
“Nigeria is consistently one of the largest importers of Norwegian stockfish in the world. It is an important part of the Nigerian kitchen.
“What started as a trade relationship many decades ago has now grown into something mutually beneficial. This is not just a story of commerce; it is a story of cultural exchange.
“Both our nations share a strong commitment to sustainability to ensure that our oceans continue to provide for generations to come.
“As part of this responsible approach, we have in recent years seen a reduction in cod quotas, reflecting the need to protect fish stocks and support long-term marine health.
“Unfortunately, this necessary reduction has led to increased prices for both stockfish and stockfish heads, impacting both producers and consumers.
“Hence, we respectfully appeal once again for zero import duty on stockfish heads as a meaningful step towards ensuring continued accessibility and affordability for Nigerian consumers,” Baera said.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, assured continued partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council to advance fisheries and the aquaculture subsector in the country.
Oyetola was represented at the event by Mr Wellington Omoragbon, Director of Federal Fisheries and Aquaculture.
“Let me begin by commending the Government of Norway and the Norwegian Seafood Council for organising this important seminar annually.
“It brings together stakeholders, receives feedback, and provides a platform for regulatory authorities to communicate new developments in the seafood trade sector.
“I also wish to acknowledge your continued partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria in advancing the fisheries and aquaculture subsector.
“The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy recognises the importance of seafood trade not only as an economic activity but also as a source of animal protein and a driver of industrial linkages,” the minister said.
Oyetola stressed the need for self-sufficiency in fish production through increased public and private sector investment.
“While Nigeria continues to import fish to meet domestic demand, the long-term vision is to achieve national self-sufficiency in fish production through increased public and private sector investment and improved aquaculture and marine fisheries infrastructure.
“The ministry is equally working towards streamlining seafood import and export processes, thereby reducing administrative bottlenecks, and ensuring regulatory harmony through collaboration with relevant agencies.
“This seminar provides an opportunity for open dialogue, exchange of ideas, and collective action towards strengthening the seafood production and trade system in Nigeria.
“I reaffirm the commitment of the ministry to the development of a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive seafood value chain that will contribute to national food security, employment generation, and economic growth.
“Working together, we can transform Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector into a globally competitive industry that not only feeds our people but also advances the national Blue Economy,” Oyetola said.
Also, the Director of Africa, Norwegian Seafood Council, Mr Johnny Haaberg, reiterated that the zero import duties would be beneficial to the entire sector.
“We try to share our knowledge about aquaculture and management of fisheries, also with Nigeria, and we have been doing that for many years, and we think the cooperation is very good.
“We have been raising the issue of zero duties for stockfish imports because we think the Nigerian consumers deserve better access to cheaper stockfish heads.
“Actually, we would wish to have more stockfish heads and stockfish at a good price to offer to the Nigerian market.
“But because of the lowering of our quotas, the exporters that are here, they sell everything they have, and they are not able to access more,” Haaberg said.
On her part, the fisheries consultant to the NSC, Ms Abbey Cheke, said Norway is ready to embark on increased training of local fish farmers in the country to increase local export opportunities.
“In the coming year, we will embark on the training of fish farmers and government officers in fisheries in the sustainability aspect and the documentation aspect of the trade.
“Nigeria’s product is banned from international trade simply because of documentation, sustainability and quality assurance.
“So, with this, we intend to leverage it to complement the last training we did for the fish farmers and fisheries officers.
“And we are also appealing to the federal government that stockfish, especially the heads, is for everybody and is about the cheapest protein in Nigeria.
“Stockfish heads should be placed on zero per cent import duties for a 150-day period, like the other staple foods.
“We are also praying for our appeal on zero per cent to be heard and for stockfish heads,” Cheke said.
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