Buy Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, is set to host the inaugural Fisheries Value Chain Indaba on 18 September 2024 at the Andy Millar Hall, Exhibition Park in Harare. The event seeks to address pressing challenges in the fisheries value chain and pave the way for the industry’s sustainable growth.
The Indaba comes at a crucial time as the Agriculture, Food Systems, and Rural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS) aims to increase fish production from 26,231 metric tonnes to 35,697 metric tonnes by 2025. However, several obstacles are hindering the industry’s progress, including the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on fish, rising fish feed costs, and high fees charged by stakeholders in the fishing sector.
Speaking ahead of the event, Buy Zimbabwe General Manager, Alois Burutsa, highlighted the need to address these issues, especially the VAT’s negative impact on demand for fish, which had previously been zero-rated. “The indaba seeks to map a way forward for the fish industry, which is currently facing significant challenges, such as the introduction of the standard VAT rating for fish, reducing demand significantly,” said Burutsa.
Another pressing concern is the US$1,000 monthly purchase cap on non-tax compliant businesses and informal traders, which has disrupted the distribution chain for large fish producers. Burutsa emphasized that this measure has negatively affected bulk buying by informal traders, impacting the entire value chain. Additionally, the high cost of fish feed has put further strain on producers, limiting their ability to meet growing demand.
The Buy Zimbabwe members in the fish industry have also expressed concerns over the influx of cheap fish imports and the high lease and harvest fees charged by the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority for fishing activities on Lake Kariba. Lake Kariba is Zimbabwe’s primary source of freshwater fish, and these fees have made fishing operations more expensive for local producers.
“While the government has recognized the critical role of fisheries in rural development, there has been no dedicated platform to tackle the challenges faced by the industry,” Burutsa said. “This indaba will provide the much-needed forum to discuss and address these issues to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.”
Fisheries and aquaculture play a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s food security, economic development, and rural livelihoods. The sector’s production is largely anchored on freshwater capture fisheries and aquaculture, making it vital to address these industry-wide challenges to unlock its full potential.
The Fisheries Value Chain Indaba is expected to attract key stakeholders from across the industry, including policymakers, producers, and experts, as they come together to explore solutions for the future of Zimbabwe’s fisheries
