February 22, 2007

Vietnam's catfish threatens Uganda's exports to the EU

Vietnam's massive output of Pangasius catfish, whose white meat is very similar to that of Nile perch, is flooding EU markets and is affecting Uganda's export revenue.

The Nile perch is Uganda's most successful fish export to the EU, according to the country's Fisheries Department.

The country's annual earnings from fish exports last year fell US$7 million, due to booming exports of Pangasius hypophthalmus from Vietnam.

Vietnam's massive production of Pangasius species affected Uganda's exports severely, said Fisheries Commissioner Dick Nyeko in an interview with local media.

Last year, Uganda exported 3,000 tonnes fewer Nile perch fish fillets to the EU, and earnings fell 25 percent.

About 100,000 tonnes of whole fish are harvested annually from Lake Victoria, but only 32,000 tonnes are exported as fillets. What remains is used as by-products or becomes waste. Spain continues to be the main EU market for Nile perch fillets, followed by France and Italy.