Uganda signs agreements with China to export wild aquatic products | Food Business Africa

UGANDA – Uganda has formalized two agreements with China to allow the legal export of wild aquatic products, alongside dried chillies. 

The protocols were signed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) during the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, held in Beijing from September 2 to 8, 2024. 

The Ugandan delegation was headed by Vice President Maj. Rtd. Jessica Alupo.

The first agreement focuses on the inspection, quarantine, and sanitary regulations for various wild aquatic products, which include Nile perch fillets, headless and gutted Nile perch, fish maw, fish skins, fish scales, and silver fish. 

According to this protocol, wild aquatic products pertain to processed animal and marine plant items that are safe for human consumption but exclude live aquatic animals and any species restricted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

To successfully enter the Chinese market, Ugandan exporters must follow specific procedures:

• GACC Registration: Companies interested in exporting must apply and register with the General Administration of Customs of China.
• Application via MAAIF: Exporters should submit a formal request to MAAIF expressing their intent to export to China. The ministry will perform a pre-audit to verify the applicant’s compliance status before recommending them to GACC for registration.
• MAAIF Support: MAAIF plans to establish a specialized task unit to facilitate and expedite the registration and compliance processes for exporters, ensuring adherence to all necessary protocols.

The fish industry is projected to benefit significantly from these developments. 

The revenue in the Fish and Seafood market is expected to reach approximately US$1.13 billion in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 8.64% forecasted from 2024 to 2029. 

Current estimates indicate that between 1.0 and 1.5 million Ugandans are directly involved in capture fisheries, alongside around 5,000 individuals working in the industrial processing sector. 

As of 2016, the fisheries sector contributed 1.6% to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), although the actual contribution is likely higher, given that around 80% of fishers are classified as ‘artisanal,’ meaning that fish are predominantly caught for local consumption or direct sale to customers.

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