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Uganda and Tanzania have taken over the fish market of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda, which is struggling with low domestic production.
The DRC is a large fish market, with East, North and South Kivu
Rwanda, with its struggling national fisheries, has found it difficult to increase the quantities required to meet the demand for fish from the DRC, according to the latest export data from the National Agricultural Export Development Council (Naeb).
The data show that from July 2017 to March 2018, Rwanda's fish export volumes increased from 6.5 million kg to 7 million kg during the same period in 2016-2017. They reported Rwanda Rwf 15.7 billion ($ 18 million), compared to Rwf 10 billion in 2016-17, a 54.98 percent increase in revenues. However, most of the fish were imported from Uganda and Tanzania, and then re-exported to the DRC.
The DR Congo is the first regional fish market in Rwanda, with 99.91% of exports, while 0.03% Burundi
"The large quantities of fish have their origin in Uganda and Tanzania and were re-exported to the DRC, "according to Naeb Trade Statistics
Wilson Rutaganira, a fisheries consultant, says Rwanda. could reverse its position as a net importer of fish when the authorities encourage the fisheries to increase their production through subsidies.
The biggest challenge facing Rwanda is the shortage of affordable and quality fish feed.
It costs between $ 1.3 ($ 1,126) and $ 1.5 ($ 1,300) per kilogram depending on the protein content.
Comparatively, food in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania is cheaper.
"The government should also draw attention to fishing as it does to crops and livestock," said Dr. Rutaganira.
In its efforts to stimulate crop production, the government supports 50% of irrigation equipment. Experts suggest that the government is funding 50 percent of the cost of quality food to make it affordable.
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