December 4, 2013

 

Nigeria's fish import ban affects Uruguay's fish export

 

 

Uruguay's fish exports are expected to decrease around 20% in volume, by the end of 2013 brought about by Nigeria's newly introduced ban on fish imports.

 

This was according to the head of Uruguay's aquatic resource office from the agriculture, livestock and fisheries ministry Daniel Gilardoni.

 

Nigeria, the main importer of fish from Uruguay, stopped all fish imports on October 15, said Gilardoni.

 

Some pelagic exporters have experienced trouble selling into Nigeria, which talked of banning all fish imports since the end of August with the aim to replace these imports with domestic production, particularly from aquaculture.

 

According to Nigeria's Business Day, the government planned to reduce fish imports into the country by 25% annually, either via quotas, or by significantly increasing duties on the commodity.

 

"The ban could be lifted in the future, but there is nothing conclusive yet. Talks between Uruguayan producers and Nigerian parties are still on-going," Gilardoni said.

 

According to him, the ban has been already applied internationally and Uruguayan fish exporters cannot operate in Nigeria now, so they are exporting to alternative markets, such as other African countries and Bangladesh.

 

In 2012, exports to the African country totalled 23,353 tonnes valued at US$45.5 million, according to last year's Uruguay Aquatic resource report.

 

For Uruguay's exporters, the ban will mean an even worst year after an already poor 2012. The country, with three million people and a fish consumption of 9.5 kilogrammes per capita annually, exports 90% of its catches.

 

However, exports started declining in 2009, when it exported 93,259 tonnes of fish - 18% less exports than the previous year, when exports reached a 10-year peak of 114,136 tonnes. Although in 2011 volumes went up by 13% from the previous year, with 96,091 tonnes (US$235 million), Uruguayan fish exports then fell considerably in 2012 to 79,768 tonnes (US$189 million).

 

The same fall of 20% in volumes and 17% in value is expected in 2013, Gilardoni said. The official also blamed the recession, and subsidies, for the drops. Also, production costs and wages, as well as an unfavourable exchange rate for Uruguay, is hitting competitiveness in exports, according to Uruguayan industry players.

 

Uruguay is facing a decline in catches that could also be due to overfishing in Rio de la Plata and the common fishing zone shared with Argentina, where 80% of fishing activities are industrial.

 

White seabass was the species most exported in Uruguay last year with 30,938 tonnes valued at US$61.8 million, followed by hake the with 15,653 tonnes valued at US$55.9 million.