A local fish Producing company Yalelo limited notes the need to satisfy the local fish demand before Zambia can start to export the product.

Company Director Fisho Mwale says there is a lot of fish that smuggled and imported into Zambia despite the country having more production potential with forty percent of water bodies in the region being in Zambia.

He adds that the huge fish deficit in the region is an opportunity for Zambia to export the product.

According to Zambia reports, Fisheries and livestock minister Kampampa Mulenga reportedly said that her Ministry has observed that imports of cheap fish and processed meat has sky rocketed in the recent past and there is urgent need for that country to invest in processing for domestic consumption and exportation of finished products.

It adds that the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institutes Executive Director, Chance Kabaghe says most fisheries companies rely on importated fish to cushion the 87,000 metric tonnes per year deficit in the country.

Mr. Kabaghe observed that any suspension of imports will increase the price of fish and promote smuggling.