The Kenya Fisheries Development has revealed that fish imports from China to Kenya will continue for the next five years. This is due to the increased demand for fish that the local production has failed to meet.
The importation will continue until the local production hits 500,000 metric tonnes.
Fish consumption in the country currently stands at 10 kilograms per person per year, up from 1.5 kgs per person a decade ago. Increased consumption has now created a 350 metric tons annual deficit.
Earlier this year, the government lifted a ban previously imposed on Chinese fish imports with the aim of reducing the price of fish in the market.
The government, however, is seeking to boost local fish production through a Kshs 14 billion International Fund for Agricultural Development funded project.
The first phase of the project will target Homabay, Migori, Meru, Nyeri, Kisumu and Kakamega counties, with each of the counties receiving two fish extension officers to boost aquaculture.
Last year, Kenya shipped in 22,362 tons of fish mainly from China, up from 19,127 tons worth Sh1.5 billion that was imported in 2017.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.
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