Norwegian Seafood, Nigerian Operators To Boost Trade

Norwegian Seafood, Nigerian operators to boost trade

Norwegian Seafood Council is partnering with stakeholders in Nigeria to promote stockfish trade in the country. The council expressed commitment to boosting the trade when some of its members visited the stockfish market in Lagos on Tuesday.

According to the members, the visit was part of interactive activities organised with the government and other stakeholders involved in stockfish and seafood imports and exports in Nigeria.

The exporters noted that that Norway and Nigeria have had a long tradition of working together, as the export of stockfish started in the 1890s, and was now enjoyed in different parts of the country.

The Director for Africa, Norwegian Seafood Council, Mr Tronds Kosteveit, said, part of the reasons for visiting the market was to discuss with the sellers, if they were satisfied with the quality, price level and bring the impression back to the exporters. 

Chief Financial Officer, Norwegian-African Business Association, Solveig Tangen, emphasisd the need to visit the market, to understand the challenges with the market, and ways to support the local operators and improve the trade. While noting that Norway was a major fish exporting country, it noted that Nigeria remained very important to its trade.

A Fisheries Consultant for Norwegian Seafood Council, Abiodun Cheke, said the visit to the market by the Norwegian council was, “To see its impact on Nigerians and have a feel of what Nigerian marketers and consumers go through in buying and eating their products, if it is well stored and what other assistance is needed to promote this product.” She sought for a more stable foreign exchange policy to boost the stockfish trade in the country.

Punch, 16th Nov 2023