Fish rakes in K187bn in 2021

Malawi’s annual  fish production increased to 173 480 metric tonnes in 2021, raking in K187.3 billion from sales, an increase of 1.5 percent from the previous year.

In 2020, the country produced 170 844 MT of fish, generating K183.3 billion, according to the 2022 Malawi Government Annual Economic Report.

The report said in terms of catch composition, usipa was the dominant fish species that contributed the largest share at 58 percent of the total catch.

This was followed by utaka, kambuzi, mlamba and mcheni which accounted for 11 percent, five percent, three percent and two percent, respectively, a development an agricultural export says calls for the need for the country to enhance monitoring in the sector.

The trend, according to agriculture policy expert Tamani Nkhono Mvula, speaks volumes of Malawi’s missed opportunity due to poor monitoring systems in terms of fish production and sources.

He said: “Malawi has a huge potential in as far as fisheries is concerned but our monitoring systems do not capture the accurate figures. There are a lot of fish coming from various sources that are not captured in the formal figures.

“Over the past five years, there has been an increase in in-cage farming which farming has increased production of some fish and revenues from various types of fish.”

According to Mvula, Malawi has all it takes to generate meaningful revenue from fish sales if proper systems are put in place.

Department of Fisheries director Friday Njaya, is on record as having observed that increasing production of usipa and other smaller species has reduced revenues for the industry.

“Indeed there is a decline of fish stocks in our lake due to various reasons, including habitat degradation, non-compliance to fishing regulations and limited alternative sources of income for lakeshore fishing communities.

“When we look at total fish production, we can say it has been increasing only that over 60 percent constitutes usipa and other smaller fish species,” he said.

Njaya said the government has instituted several measures, including the introduction of a vessel monitoring system on Lake Malawi, reviewing fishing regulations and enhancing fish quality through the adoption of better fish processing facilities such as solar rent driers.

The fish industry remains a crucial sector in the country, as besides generating revenue for the country it contributes about 70 percent of the dietary animal protein intake of Malawians and 40 percent of the total protein supply.

Meanwhile, the government is projecting that  fish production will increase from the current 173 480 metric tonnes to 178 684 MT and 182 258 MT in 2022 and 2023, and this will translate to increased projected accrued monetary value of K194.8 billion, and K200.5 billion, respectively.