COVID19 might completely disrupt international fish trade. Cheap frozen Chinese tilapia – produced in massive quantities that lower its price point – may no longer flood African markets.
What would happen if fish imports to Africa suddenly stopped?
In the short-term, this might mean people have less food security. The poor would be less likely to access and purchase cheap nutritious tilapia. For much of Africa that is already food insecure, this might have massive implications for peoples’ wellbeing.
In the long-term, this might be an opportunity for African producers, who have previously been outcompeted by cheaper imported Chinese tilapia. If the price point is still affordable, locals might be willing and able to spend an extra few cents for their fish.
With increased demand, some African nations that have been struggling to develop their aquaculture sectors might have a chance at ramping and filling the market void.
COVID19 might have forced the moment for local African fish producers to step up and shine.
Relevant reading:
Moyo D. (2009) Dead Aid. New York: Penguin Books Ltd.
Ravillion M (2020) Pandemic Policies in Poor Places. CDG Note. Available at: https://www.cgdev.org/publication/pandemic-policies-poor-places
United Nations [UN]. (2020) COVID-19 impact could be ‘disastrously high’ in poverty-stricken Malawi. [online] Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/05/1063062
Fish By The Pounds 