Post by Trade Coach on Oct 29, 2020 17:53:16 GMT 1
Catfish is a type of fish that usually lives in fresh water, they are of considerable commercial importance, there are different species of Catfish and many of the larger species are farmed or fished for food. Catfish are found in freshwater environments, though most inhabit in shallow, running water. Catfish farming doesn’t require a very high level operation system or a very high level of Management. Catfish do not have scales, their bodies are usually bare.
Catfish have widely been caught and farmed for food for hundreds of years in Africa, Asia, North America and in Europe. Catfish are being farmed in ponds in so many parts of the world today. Catfish whether raised in ponds or inland tanks or gotten from rivers are all safe for consumption, provided they are healthy, properly and hygenically farmed or fished. However, the success of catfish growth depends on the cleanliness of their tanks and the quality of their feeds.
To keep their tanks clean, you’ll need to have a good drainage system that flushes out their dirty water and replaces it with clean water. This water disposal system is always factored into the construction of their tanks.
Their feeds need to be of a good quality. You can either opt for already packaged feeds or you can make or produce your own feeds.
Catfish is relatively high in vitamin D. Farm raised catfish contains low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a much higher proportion of omega-6 fatty acids. It is an extremely popular food in Nigeria, catfish is often cooked in a variety of stews, soups and delicacies. It is particularly cooked in a delicacy popularly known as "catfish pepper soup", which is enjoyed throughout the nation.
Catfish are easy to farm in warm climates, leading to inexpensive and safe food both in the Local and international sellers/traders.
DRYFISH (CATFISH)
Dryfish is fish smoked over a period of time until it is dehydrated and dry. Fish is available in the market in different forms like fresh, frozen, canned, smoked or dried but the most popular is Dried Fish which has a great market both within and outside the African Continent with a very high demand which exceeds supply.
Different species of fish are dried and sold, some tastier than others. Both large and small sized fishes are dried for the purpose of consumption. Some are cut into pieces before drying, others dried whole, sometimes folded or bent and held in place with a string or stick for easy storage and space management.
In the past, Nigerian dryfish was produced using fish from rivers but now with the intensive farming of fish (Fishponds) on the increase, Pond dryfish is very common in Nigeria and in some countries. The fish is usually dried to different degrees, from partly dried to bone dry. Drying the fish flavour which directly impacts the taste of the dish it is used to prepare.
There are different methods used in drying fish, the local method and the new method where new smoking kilns were introduced which significantly reduced smoke levels. In the market presently, most DRYFISH is usually made using Catfish.
EXPORTS
Venturing into DRYFISH business is a business with unimaginable profits and benefits, as one tends to benefit so much from exporting even a little quantity because as little as it may seem, DRYFISH is one of the fastest growing export with huge demand both locally and internationally, and with the increasing number of Africans living in the diaspora, the market has boomed greatly.
The quantity of DRYFISH leaving West Africa and entering the United Kingdom is estimated to be at about 500 tons per year with a retail value of of about £5.8 to £9.35 million and approximately 120 tons of DRYFISH is exported by airfreight, a significant proportion of what is remaining usually enters the United Kingdom as accompanied Luggage and the goods are also exported overland from mainland Europe.
Nigeria currently exports approximately 5 tons of smoked fish per month as airfreight - 60 tons per annum. The other major exporting countries are Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
Smoked catfish is a huge delicacy which appeals to many at home and abroad.
It's no news about the current ban in the US (United States of America) on Exported Catfish; And months after the United States of America (USA) placed a ban on catfish imports from Nigeria, the country lost over N20b because they require Certification from the Nigerian Government.
The United States Food Drug Administration works like NAFDAC in Nigeria. Their oversight functions concerning smoked fish exports require the exporter to have a certificate of registry, the certification covers production site inspection, packaging, processing and storage. A food safety expert is required for for advice and procedure to procure the necessary certification. Smoked fish exporters need to get the necessary paper work before they can export their goods to America.
But, it should be noted that the ban is on large shipments, but the good news is, you can still send your produce to the US (United States of America) as personal Luggage in a sizeable quantity and it will still bring in much profit, or, it may be sent to a known residential address in the US (United States of America) if you have a buyer or a contact over there and let's not forget the other countries where exports are still booming....this is where THE THY GLOBAL INVESTMENT Ltd. come in, to help bring buyers, sellers and farmers together to do business.
IMPORTANT!!!