KENYA – Enviu, in collaboration with SokoFresh and PREO (Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities), has released a groundbreaking landscape study focusing on Kenya’s fish sector.

This extensive research dives into the dynamics of the fishing industry, particularly in marine fisheries and key lakes, intending to foster a profound regional understanding of the sector.

The study, spanning Kenya’s Lake Victoria and Coastal regions, offers invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the fishing industry. By examining marine fisheries and primary lakes, the research sheds light on potential pathways for sustainable development.

“Our research goes beyond the surface, collaborating with industry experts to reveal the genuine challenges faced by small-scale fishers,” Brenda Nambatya, SokoFresh Fish Project Lead, stated emphasizing the depth of their research.

Despite facing a fragmented supply chain, Nambatya expressed optimism, noting promising solutions such as SokoFresh’s trial of sub-zero cold storage and market linkage services to streamline transportation and connect fishers to better markets.

“The ultimate goal is to create an ecosystem where small-scale fishers can thrive, reducing post-catch loss while improving fish production and quality,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to PREO, the fishing industry in Kenya has experienced significant growth, with a remarkable 146% increase over the past decade, driven by government initiatives and increased investment.

Despite contributing only 0.6% to the national GDP, the industry’s GDP output has tripled from USD 250 million at the beginning of the decade to almost US$600 million in 2022.

Global partners, including the EU and The World Bank, have shown interest, indicating substantial opportunities for growth in the sector.

PREO highlighted that the industry operates at a mere 15% capacity, mainly due to its informal and underdeveloped nature.

Artisanal fishing, characterized by small-scale, low-technology operations, faces obstacles in accessing deep-sea fish stocks.

Poor road transport networks further impede the flow of goods between fishing grounds, processing plants, and markets. Only 4% of fish landing sites have cooling infrastructure, and a mere 15% of Kenya’s fishing potential is currently utilized.

The study also highlighted the critical issue of demand outpacing production, leading to a significant fish deficit. If Kenya were to match the fish consumption levels of its African peers, demand would surge by 113%.

Despite the current production of 170,000 MT of fish, the domestic fish deficit stands at 436,000 MT, approximately four times the current production levels.

Kenya’s fish consumption per capita is only 4.3 kg, far below the global and African averages of 20 kg and 9.7 kg, respectively.

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