By Edwin Nwachukwu
The Norwegian Stockfish Heads have been described as the most affordable protein for a vast majority of Nigerians in the low-income bracket.
Many livelihoods depend on the Stockfish trade as both men and women are involved in its sales in all the Nigerian markets.
This is contained in a joint press statement issued by Mr. Trond Kostveit, Director of Africa, the Norwegian Seafood Council and Ms. Abbey Cheke, an Advocate of the Norwegian Seafood Council in Nigeria.
‘’Stockfish Heads are being enjoyed by Nigerians all over the country,’’ they stated.
They added that Stockfish Heads are now an important part of the Nigeria Cuisine.
It is in view of this, that a one-day interactive workshop with stakeholders and regulatory authorities involved in stockfish and seafood imports and exports trade in Nigeria, will be held at the Lagos Continental Hotel Victoria Hall (4th floor) 52a Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. on the 15th of November 2023 at 9.30 am.
‘’The One-Day Interactive Workshop is aimed at strengthening the relationship between The Norwegian Seafood Council, The Federal Government Regulatory Authorities involved in the Imports and Exports of Stockfish and Seafoods Products in Nigeria, Stockfish Importers and Dealers, as well as shipping agents and Nigeria Customs Licenced Clearing Agents.
‘’A key objective of the One-Day Interactive Workshop aimed at market access and highlighting the nutritional value of Stockfish and Stockfish Head; is that its intake especially by children will lead to better overall wellness of children and adults.
‘’The Interactive workshop will also be a further update on our part that despite the popularity of Stockfish in Nigeria, it does not and will not pose a threat to the encouragement of increased local production of Farmed Fish in Nigeria as the imported volume is relatively low.
‘’And to show the Goodwill of the Norwegian Government through its Seafood Council for the promotion and Re-Entry of Nigeria’s Farmed Fish Products into International Markets of E.U. and the Americas; the Norwegian Seafood Council conducted a Capacity Building/Training for Fisheries Officers/Stakeholders involved in Fish Farming and Processing for Export and Import of Nigerian Farmed Fish Products in May 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria.’’
They noted that the challenges encountered by the operators in the imports of the Stockfish and Stockfish Head are also expected to be discussed.
According to them, a communiqué is expected to be generated by the stakeholders towards achieving the purpose of the interactive workshop.
