The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has urged the Federal Government to exempt stockfish heads from import duties.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Bæra, made the appeal at a one-day workshop for stockfish and seafood stakeholders on Thursday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in 2023, Nigeria imported $43 million worth of Norwegian stockfish (heads and bodies), mackerel, herring, tusk and saithe (black cod).
Nigeria is currently one of the major markets for Norwegian stockfish imports.
The seafood seminar was organised to give exporters and importers opportunity to meet, discuss, and gain insights into Norwegian seafood exports and the challenges faced by importers.
Bæra noted that the tax exception on stockfish heads imports will be beneficial to the Nigerian populace.
“We heard a piece of news in the newspaper from the government that there will be a duty free import window for food commodities in Nigeria.
“And I think it is an exciting news because we all know that since the value of the Naira has met some difficult times over the past months, to get food on the table in Nigerian kitchen has become critical for many people.
“And I definitely think that the stockfish heads should be included in that space.
“Because we all know that stockfish heads is one of the most important ingredients that Nigerians can afford to put on the table, even if they live in difficult times.
“We want to encourage the Nigerian government to include stockfish heads in this import duties exception,” Bæra said.
In his welcome address, the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, commended the efforts of the NSC in the Nigerian aquaculture sector.
Oyetola stressed the government’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in fish production and transforming Nigeria into a major seafood exporter.
“We will like to commend the council for continually contributing to the fisheries sector.
“The NSC has also at one time or the other provided capacity development for fishery officers and stakeholders in the country.
“The ministry is, however, committed to achieving self sufficiency in fish production and in making Nigeria a major exporter of fish and fisheries produce.
“We are committed in implementing various initiatives to strengthen fishery management, boosting investments, promote innovation, leverage technology and foster multi stakeholder collaboration in the aquaculture sector.
“The target is to upscale fish production in a sustainable manner across the entire spectrum.
“We appreciate the council’s contribution to food security, capacity development and innovation in the sector and we look forward to continued collaboration to achieve our shared goals.
“Let us work together to transform the Nigerian seafood industry into a prosperous, sustainable and globally competitive sector,” he said.
On his part, the outgoing Director of the NSC, Mr Trond Kosveit, commended the Nigerian aquaculture sector and appealed for more patronage of Norwegian stockfish.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the seafood council in Nigeria, Norway used to be second largest exporter of stockfish but we are number one exporter in the world.
“It has been extremely nice to work with the fish sector in Nigeria. And in this period, we had the chance to talk to many Nigerians and to organise these kinds of seminars many times.
“We have also had the chance to go to many local markets and see how important our product is as a very important part of the Nigerian kitchen.
“Knowing how important the stockfish is to Nigerians, It is very important it be part of the products that will enjoy zero duty for some time,” Kosveit said. (NAN)
