Assessment of fish exports from Blantyre district, southern Malawi

Abstract

This study presents findings on fish exports from Blantyre, which is the biggest commercial city in Malawi. A cross-sectional research design was used in the study in which fish quantities, species, processing methods, gender of fish exporters and export destinations were analysed. Non-probability data collection methods were used on the secondary data that was collected from Blantyre District Fisheries Office. Findings indicate that a total of 9596 kg (9.6 metritonnes) of fish was exported within a period of six months in the year 2013 comprising all species available in the local markets and those endemic in Malawi’s water bodies. Most fish were exported as sun-dried, para-boiled and smoked. Findings suggest that fish exports from Malawi are in their infancy, fluctuate, and are insignificant for making a positive and sustainable impact to the economy of the country. It is recommended that national and regional policies should be fully utilized to curb exports of fish in order to sustainably satisfy the local huge demand for fish. About 82.6% of the fish exporters were women underpinning the need for policy considerations that value their critical role in the fish export trade such as women empowerment.