Fish sales hit $7.3m
Sep 02, 2003
Uganda’s fish exports for July reached $7.3m (about sh14.6b), according to latest figures from the fisheries department.
By Macrines Nyapendi
Uganda’s fish exports for July reached $7.3m (about sh14.6b), according to latest figures from the fisheries department.
Dick Nyeko, the commissioner for fisheries, said there was a 15% rise in volume and a 12.4% lift in earnings compared to June.
“We have recorded a 30% increase in volume exported and a 21% increment in earnings compared to July last year. There was a 15% increase in tonnage exported and a 12.4% increment for July compared to the month of June,†Nyeko said.
A total of 1,499.77 metric tonnes were exported to European markets earning Uganda $4,824,560.81, while 643.18 tonnes went to the non-European destinations fetching $2,447,923.06m.
In June, 1864.21 tonnes were exported to both the European Union markets and non-European markets fetching $6469140.14m (about sh13b).
“I predict the fish earnings for this year will be higher than last year. Fish will beat coffee and other non-traditional exports in earnings,†he said.
He said, “The drop in fish prices and the few orders from their main markets were thwarting the earnings and exports.â€
Nyeko also disclosed that Clovergem has re-opened. For several years now, the Entebbe based venture was mired in financial problems. Clovergem was among the first major processors. He said Gomba Limited have a new factory in Majanji, Busia district.
Bank of Uganda disclosed recently that fish remains the largest non-coffee export. In June total returns hit $8.46m (about sh17b).
Meanwhile Busia fish market has remained empty for the last 10 months, reports David Wanyama.
Only mukene, the tiny fish variety is available. The district fisheries officer, Henry Makanga, said recently most dealers have been scared away by the methods used by the Special Revenue Protection Service (SRPS) crackdown on those selling immature fish.
Uganda’s fish exports for July reached $7.3m (about sh14.6b), according to latest figures from the fisheries department.
Dick Nyeko, the commissioner for fisheries, said there was a 15% rise in volume and a 12.4% lift in earnings compared to June.
“We have recorded a 30% increase in volume exported and a 21% increment in earnings compared to July last year. There was a 15% increase in tonnage exported and a 12.4% increment for July compared to the month of June,†Nyeko said.
A total of 1,499.77 metric tonnes were exported to European markets earning Uganda $4,824,560.81, while 643.18 tonnes went to the non-European destinations fetching $2,447,923.06m.
In June, 1864.21 tonnes were exported to both the European Union markets and non-European markets fetching $6469140.14m (about sh13b).
“I predict the fish earnings for this year will be higher than last year. Fish will beat coffee and other non-traditional exports in earnings,†he said.
He said, “The drop in fish prices and the few orders from their main markets were thwarting the earnings and exports.â€
Nyeko also disclosed that Clovergem has re-opened. For several years now, the Entebbe based venture was mired in financial problems. Clovergem was among the first major processors. He said Gomba Limited have a new factory in Majanji, Busia district.
Bank of Uganda disclosed recently that fish remains the largest non-coffee export. In June total returns hit $8.46m (about sh17b).
Meanwhile Busia fish market has remained empty for the last 10 months, reports David Wanyama.
Only mukene, the tiny fish variety is available. The district fisheries officer, Henry Makanga, said recently most dealers have been scared away by the methods used by the Special Revenue Protection Service (SRPS) crackdown on those selling immature fish.