Why Abuja Fish Farmers Increase Catfish Price To N1,800 Per Kg

One kilogramme of catfish is now sell for N1,800, up from the previous price of N1,300, after a meeting between fish farmers and catfish traders on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in Abuja.

The Ibadan and Ilorin fish markets have reached an agreement on a price increase and the continuation of the present regime. Catfish weighing between 700 and 900 grammes now cost N1,400, while smaller sizes (500 to 600 grammes) cost N1,300.

Farmers in Abuja have recently sustained considerable losses, as evidenced by the presentation of a feeding plan for 1,000 fish by the working committees of the city’s fish farmers. At a loss of N1,300 per kilogramme, farmers have been selling their fish at N1,100 per kilogramme despite the fact that the total cost of growing 1,000 fish was N1.3 million.

At their present price of N45 per, a thousand pieces of juvenile seeds will set you back N45,000.

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Although hybrid catfish are more popular with consumers, the vast majority of Abuja’s fish farmers keep Clarias catfish in their tanks.

According to Ekene Dominic, the coordinator for fish farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, several farms in the FCT have closed since the cost of raising a thousand catfish is higher than the revenue generated.

Alhaji Khalid Abubakar, a well-known catfish trader, has expressed a desire to build a mutually beneficial relationship with local fish farmers in order to ensure a constant supply of fish in the nation’s capital.

The FCT’s fishing industry is in trouble, but Mr. Aminu, chairman of the Kado fish market, has promised fish farmers that his company is eager to work with them to find solutions.

On the high price of feed in the North Central, representative of Olams fish Feeds Company noted that the high cost of feed was due to the present economic situation of the country as they import grains and other materials for production of feed, adding that the falling exchange rate worsens the matter.

He suggested that the farmers set their prices at or below their production costs.

Chairman of FCT fish feed and fisheries, Mr Abdukadih Isah, called on all players in the business to work together to save the fishing industry in the FCT. He also appealed for cooperation among the parties to reach a shared aim, since the industry is on the point of imploding.

Farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were urged by their spokesperson, Mr. Julius Adeju, to work together and engage stakeholders on the increase in fish prices.

Both parties will sign an MoU on trade relations and the restriction of catfish inflows from other states to Abuja, mainly Ibadan and Ilorin.

Farmers claimed they had the ability to supply the required fish for the FCT, and the government should aid in this endeavour by subsidising feed.