Côte d’Ivoire to consider tax on fish imports to push local output
The government is considering a levy on foreign fish to ease pressure on domestic producers as local production falls far short of national demand, prompting fresh policy plans.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Côte d’Ivoire’s government is considering a new tax on imported fish products in an effort to protect its underperforming local fisheries sector.
The proposal, announced by Sidi Tiémoko Touré, Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, on April 2, is intended to limit the market dominance of low-cost foreign fish, which officials say makes it difficult for local producers to compete.
Recent customs data shows that the country brought in around 726,258 tonnes of fish in 2023, valued at approximately US$855 million.
In contrast, national output from fisheries and aquaculture reached just 106,000 tonnes in 2022, according to figures from the World Bank.
The government hopes that by imposing what it calls a compensatory tax, it can create more room in the domestic market for locally sourced fish.
A similar approach has been taken in the poultry sector, where Côte d’Ivoire introduced a levy on chicken imports in 2009.
That measure added a charge of 1,000 FCFA per kilogram — about US$1.65 — to foreign poultry products, targeting the effects of export subsidies provided by exporting countries.
According to Touré, the poultry industry has since expanded significantly, with the number of birds rising from 57.4 million in 2015 to over 129.4 million in 2023.
Officials believe the fisheries sector could follow a similar path if shielded from import pressures.
However, the success of the proposed tax will depend on whether local fish producers can scale up their operations and supply the market at competitive prices.
Without that, the gap between national supply and demand may remain wide, leaving consumers reliant on imported fish.
The government has not yet announced when the tax would be implemented or the exact amount of the proposed duty.
Talks are ongoing, and further consultations with industry players are expected in the coming months.
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