By Koane Mindjimba, Fish Value Chain Expert

Background

Providing a place for the marketing in bulk of commodities, urban wholesale fish markets are found in developed and developing countries. They are located either in coastal or inland centres, near or far from fish landing sites or production centres. They can be classified as secondary (those located in districts or regional cities) or terminal (at major cities, ports or borders). They also range in size from small to large. The infrastructure and services provided vary accordingly depending on the local context. Cameroon is no exception. Besides other types of fish markets such as fish shops dedicated to selling imported frozen fish and fishery products, roadside markets, wholesale fish markets exist in almost all major towns of the country. This article focuses on the Maroua wholesale artisanal fish market in the Far North Region of the country as a case-study in view of its importance in terms of quantities of fish commodities traded, economic value and flows. The aim is to characterize this market and to identify the main challenges faced.

Fisheries information monitoring system (FIMS)

A fisheries information monitoring system (FIMS) was developed and piloted for the said market as part of the research project “Sustainable development of African continental fisheries: A regional study of policy options and policy formation mechanisms for the Lake Chad Basin”. Funded by the European Commission between 1999 and 2002, this project was led by the University of Portsmouth’s Centre for the Economics and Management of Aquatic Resources (CEMARE), UK, and implemented in Cameroon by the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA). In accordance with the FAO (1997) Technical Guidance for Responsible Fisheries (Inland), the main objective of this 12-month (June 2000 - May 2001) pilot FIMS was to generate basic market statistics necessary for the establishment of a market information database at national and regional levels for decision- and policy-making processes. The methods used in that regard involved questionnaire-based survey with key informants (fish traders, customers, consumers). Data collected included fish commodity types (main genera and species, processing method and packaging), quantities, value and flows (origins and destinations). Other data and information collected included existing infrastructure, facilities and services provided, major challenges faced. Although located relatively far from major fish production centres, Maroua, the regional chief town of the Far North, is the main assembly wholesale fish market in the region. Thus, it was selected for the operationalization of this new system, thereby avoiding double counting of relevant data and information.

Main results

Fieldwork results reveal that about 309 tonnes of processed (smoked and sun-dried) fish (net product weight) worth CFAF 197.53 million (€301 139), have transited through this market between June and July 2000. Extrapolated to the calendar year and updated based on available statistics, these fish commodities amounted to about 1 405 tonnes (valued over CFA F 898.12 million or close to €1.37 million) annually between 2000 and 2020. Essentially, they originated from Logone-Birni, Zina and Pouss in the Waza-Logone floodplain (yaere), and secondarily Blangoua (around Lake Chad), Maga reservoir (Far North Region) and Lagdo reservoir (North Region). From this market, commodities are further delivered not only to the local retail markets and divisions within the Far North Region, but also to other regions of the country (Adamawa, Centre, East, Littoral, North). Customers comprise wholesalers, semi-wholesalers and retailers (mainly women).

Poor accessibility to markets and lack of cold chain limit marketing of fresh fish over long distances. Small quantities of fresh fish found in the market mainly originate from Logone and Chari Rivers during the dry season (October - April). Two- and seven-tonne lorries, and lorries and public transport (vans, carts and barrows) are the main transportation means used on arrival and departure, respectively. However, it is likely that small quantities of fish commodities transported on foot or motorcycles are not recorded given that the marketplace is not fenced. In common with other urban wholesale artisanal fish markets across the country, fish loss and waste (FLW) incurred in the Maroua market are of various types: quality, physical and market-force. Their key causes include: quality deterioration due to spoilage resulting from mould, insect infestation, long distances, poor roads, improper handling practices and packaging, poor hygiene and sanitation, inadequate storage facilities, delays in marketing leading to unsold fish and poor sale; physical damage of processed fish due to breakage and crumbling during transport. Cases of theft mainly during offloading, are also reported. Although not assessed, available estimates suggest that total FLW at this market could be comparable with those recorded in other regional markets, i.e. as much as 15 percent.

Conclusion

Insights into the Maroua wholesale artisanal fish market show that, despite its importance as outlined above, this market still faces huge challenges. The significant FLW mainly due to poor infrastructure and services, poses a major challenge. While it has been demonstrated that markets are crucial in reducing FLW, they can overcome this challenge only if they are equipped with the proper infrastructural facilities and services, and operate efficiently.

Recommendations

From the foregoing, this article sets out the following evidence-based recommendations with a view to improving data collection and analysis, reducing FLW at all stages of the value chain, improving fish quality and supplies, operators’ incomes and livelihoods, and thus enhancing the contribution of the fisheries sector to food security and nutrition, poverty eradication and rural development:

• Design and implement appropriate cost-effective FIMS at key nodal points;
• Enhance the capacity of value chain actors and fisheries frontline agents in FIMS as well as FLW assessment tools and methods accordingly;
• Establish integrated technological platforms (providing cold chain, processing, storage and marketing facilities, among others);
• Experiment improved fish processing technologies such as solar driers and fish smoking ovens;
• Facilitate the construction and acquisition of insulated containers using locally available materials for the distribution and marketing of fresh fish;
• Allocate the necessary financial and material resources;
• Encourage local community participation and other stakeholder cooperation at all levels.