The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) has seen a 55% increase in harvesting costs, rising from N$10 to N$18 per kilogram, significantly impacting its operational costs.
NFCPT CEO Victor Pea said the rising costs have compelled the trust to review its pricing structure to maintain sustainability.
“Similarly, harvesting costs have risen from around N$10 to N$18 per kilogram, mirroring this 55% increase. These factors make it necessary for us to adjust prices to remain sustainable,” said Pea during a recent engagement.
The NFCPT, which does not receive state funding apart from a quota, relies on revenue from fish sales to sustain its operations and promote fish consumption across Namibia.
Pea emphasised that while part of the quota is provided free of charge by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, there are substantial costs associated with the process.
“Yes, a portion of the quota we receive is free; we don’t pay for it from the ministry. However, I want to clarify this because some people might misunderstand and think they are entitled to free fish. What we get is a paper authorising us to harvest a specific amount of fish from the waters. While the quota itself is free, there are associated costs,” Pea explained.
Operational costs include fuel for vessels, crew salaries, meals at sea, storage expenses, and transportation to various regions in the country.
The CEO noted that these expenses have steadily risen due to inflation, particularly the cost of diesel, which has increased by 55% over the past decade.
“For example, vessels consume fuel, crews need to be paid, and provisions for meals at sea are required. Once we harvest the fish, there are costs for landing and storing it, including electricity for cold storage. Additionally, we transport this fish to all corners of the country. These input costs are reflected in the price per kilogram of fish,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the NFCPT strives to keep fish prices competitive, with horse mackerel selling at an average of N$26 per kilogram. This remains more affordable compared to other protein sources such as beef, pork, lamb, and poultry.
“Now, while we strive to keep prices affordable, we understand that any price can seem unaffordable to someone unemployed. However, comparatively, fish remains more affordable than other sources of protein such as beef, pork, lamb, and even poultry,” Pea said.
The trust has made significant strides in its mission since its inception, growing from a team of four employees to a workforce of 149.
He said this expansion has been accompanied by an increase in fish distribution from 500 metric tons annually a decade ago to over 10,000 metric tonnes today.
“Our distribution capacity has grown from 500 metric tonnes over a decade ago to over 10,000 metric tonnes annually. This growth demonstrates that Namibians are increasingly embracing fish as a source of daily protein,” said Pea.
To further its mission, the NFCPT has also established retail shops in all regions and launched initiatives such as National Fish Consumption Day, which promotes fish consumption through community engagement and educational activities.
