By Kei Emmanuel Duku
A recent report released by the World Bank reveals that South Sudan’s annual fish catch, estimated at 300,000 tons, possesses the potential to generate approximately $300 million from exports to countries within the East African Community region.
The report further highlights that the livestock sector provides animal protein to roughly 50% of the South Sudanese population.
During the release of the Country’s Natural Resources Review report in Juba, Stephen Ling, Lead Environment Specialist at the World Bank, emphasized that the country’s Nile floodplain, encompassing the vast Sudd Wetland, constitutes one of the world’s largest fish catchment areas.
“The country boasts one of the largest inland fisheries and freshwater fisheries globally. Seasonal tropical wetlands exhibit remarkable productivity as fishery systems. When the water recedes, robust vegetation growth ensues, and upon the water’s return, this production stimulates the aquatic food chains and productivity,” explained Ling.
Recognized as one of the world’s largest seasonal tropical wetlands, the Sudd Wetland possesses the capacity for sustainable fish production of approximately 100 kilograms per hectare.
Furthermore, Ling estimated that South Sudan’s floodplain areas, spanning around 40,000 square kilometers annually, have the potential to yield approximately 400,000 tons of fish sustainably.
The environmentalist recently observed a significant increase in the size of South Sudan’s floodplain areas, expanding from approximately 40,000 to over 100,000 hectares, with the potential to yield sustainable fisheries production of roughly a million tons of fish per year.
However, despite this immense potential, substantial fish loss and wastage occur during handling at landing sites, markets, trading points, transportation, and preservation stages, and due to numerous security checkpoints along market routes.
The expert cited high taxes imposed on fish exporters to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, along with non-compliance with East African Customs Export laws, as significant contributors to losses and damages. Fish often languishes at the Nimule-Elegu border for days awaiting customs clearance.
In addition to Congo and Uganda, South Sudan exports fish to Sudan via the Upper Nile State in Malakia town. Domestically, it is consumed in major cities such as Juba, Bor, Wau, and Nimule.
The report underscores that approximately 14% of the South Sudan fish catch is lost due to physical damage, while 24% spoils before reaching the market, necessitating sales at a lower price.
“Two-thirds of the potential fresh fish value of the catch is estimated to be lost domestically, despite lucrative export opportunities,” noted Ling.
He added that most fishermen and traders still rely on traditional preservation methods like salting and sun-drying, leading to significant fish loss.
“About half of the fish is lost during conversion. These methods are wasteful as they do not increase product value. They are primarily a means of transporting fresh fish to market, but value is lost during this processing,” stated the World Bank expert.
He estimated that South Sudan incurs tens of millions of dollars in losses within the fisheries value chains annually. To maximize the potential of the 300,000-ton annual fish catch through exports, it is crucial to expand production through value chain addition, enhance export regulations, and minimize unnecessary taxes along market routes.
The report also indicates that South Sudan requires an investment of approximately $10-20 million over the next five years in the fisheries sector. This investment should focus on building community and government capacity, updating the Fisheries Bill, and developing a sector action plan centered on sustainable fisheries management.
Furthermore, an investment of $20-30 million is needed for value addition, market surveys, policy reforms, and institutional capacity building.
Meanwhile, Meschack Malo, South Sudan Country Representative for the Food and Agriculture Organization, emphasized that the country’s untapped fisheries sector holds immense potential for creating job opportunities for youth, women, and girls, provided it is sustainably managed.
Malo estimated that daily, approximately 20-30 trucks transport fish from Terekeka County in Central Equatoria State and Pabior Administrative Areas to Juba, a significant increase compared to five years ago.
He encouraged local communities to capitalize on seasonal floods, harvest fish, and expand their market base to neighboring countries.
“Consider the potential benefits for people in Bentiu-Unity State from the floods if 400,000 tons of fish can be caught annually from floodplain areas,” asked Malo.
He highlighted that drying and smoking fish can reduce its value by approximately 90%. The Country Representative emphasized the need to develop modern transportation systems, such as air and cold chain logistics, to facilitate direct fish exports from South Sudan to Congo and other destinations. Internally, the cold chain would significantly reduce fish spoilage.
Malo appealed to the national government to eliminate the excessive number of security checkpoints along the routes from Bor and Terekeka to Juba, which contributed to increased fish prices and subsequent wastage.
“Over 90 checkpoints increase the price by 90 cents or $10, hindering market access and contributing to spoilage,” added Malo.
The World Bank recommended that the South Sudanese government establish competent authorities and laboratories to regulate sanitary and quality standards, conduct feasibility studies for new or improved border export markets, and strengthen bilateral and regional trade agreements to expedite customs inspections at border points.