Togo implements new import rule for fish, poultry meat

TOGO – The Togolese government is now requiring importers of fish, poultry meat, and related products to source at least 10% of their total order from local suppliers before obtaining approval to import.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Resources announced the measure, stating that it is intended to support local producers, increase food security, and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.

Local farmers often struggle to sell their products due to limited production capacity and a lack of consistent buyers. 

The government hopes that this new requirement will encourage growth in local production and help structure the industry more effectively.

Previous attempts to introduce similar regulations, particularly for poultry imports, faced challenges in enforcement, making it uncertain how effectively this new rule will be implemented.

Efforts to Protect Local Poultry Farmers

This is not the first time Togo has taken steps to control meat imports. 

In January 2024, the government imposed a temporary ban on frozen poultry imports to help local producers clear existing stock.

At the time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock reported that over 70 tons of locally produced poultry meat remained unsold in cold storage facilities.

A notice issued on January 22, 2024, by Agriculture Minister Antoine Lekpa Gbegbeni explained that the ban was necessary to promote domestic production and consumption. 

He also stated that imports would only resume once local stock had been depleted.

Apart from assisting farmers in selling their products, the government’s move raised discussions about the competitiveness of Togolese producers against foreign suppliers, particularly regarding production costs.

Togo’s Meat Import Market

Togo primarily imports frozen unboned bovine meat, excluding whole carcasses, with Spain and Poland among its key suppliers.

According to the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) by the World Bank, Togo’s meat market is expected to generate US$427.05 million in revenue in 2025. 

Projections indicate an annual growth rate of 6.92% from 2025 to 2030.

Despite these figures, detailed statistics on Togo’s total meat imports remain limited, as the country’s overall import volumes are relatively low compared to other goods.

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