Kenya cuts fish imports as Lake Victoria cage farming boosts aquaculture production
Overall aquaculture output increased by five per cent in 2024, reaching 33,423 tonnes compared to 31,767 tonnes in 2023.
Kenya has cut back on fish imports as local aquaculture and marine fisheries continue to thrive, with cage farming on Lake Victoria driving a steady rise in production.
Data from the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) shows that overall aquaculture output increased by five per cent in 2024, reaching 33,423 tonnes compared to 31,767 tonnes in 2023.
More To Read
- Over 70 trained in aquaculture to boost fish farming profits in Taita Taveta
- Boost for communities as Kwale unveils marine hatchery, seaweed centre
- Export weakness, key obstacle to Kenya’s path to middle-income status - report
- Youth dive into fish farming as aquaculture initiative transforms Coast, western Kenya
- Kenya’s fish export earnings drop to Sh5.97bn in first decline in four years
- Joho defends his docket over Sh1.6 billion used for 'fish counting' in Indian Ocean
“The fish production from cage culture continues to increase steadily, accounting for about 76.4 per cent (25,547 tonnes), while land-based freshwater aquaculture and mariculture along the coast produced 7,742 tonnes and 134 tonnes respectively,” KeFS said.
Cage farming, which involves raising fish fingerlings in enclosed sections of lakes with a one-year harvesting cycle, has become especially popular on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria. Over 5,000 cages are in operation, mostly owned individually, though companies such as Victory Farms also participate.
Stricter husbandry practices
However, the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute has called for stricter husbandry practices to prevent ecological degradation and adverse changes in water quality.
While aquaculture grows, Lake Victoria’s fishery recorded a catch of 67,575 tonnes valued at Sh10.8 billion in 2024, representing a 1.99 per cent decline from 70,313 tonnes in 2023. The reduction is attributed to rising overfishing and illegal fishing practices, driven by population growth and economic pressures.
The lake supports multiple species, but only Rastrineobola argentea (Omena), Lates niloticus (Nile perch), and Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) hold major economic significance. The report notes that the 2024 catch for these species was: Rastrineobola argentea at 30,483 tonnes, Haplochromis at 15,433 tonnes, Oreochromis niloticus at 11,200 tonnes and Lates niloticus at 7,136 tonnes.
A county-level analysis showed that Homa Bay contributed the highest share at 51.5 per cent, followed by Siaya at 35.4 per cent, Kisumu at 5 per cent, Busia at 4.3 per cent and Migori at 3.8 per cent.
Gaining momentum
The report adds that Kenya’s aquaculture sector is gaining momentum to bridge the gap between domestic fish demand and supply. With an estimated population of over 51 million in 2024, projected fish consumption stands at 510,000 tonnes.
Current overall fish production, including both capture fisheries and aquaculture, totals about 161,000 tonnes, highlighting a significant shortfall. Experts say this deficit can be addressed through investment in fish farming to achieve the African average per capita consumption of 10kg.
Aquaculture production has been rising steadily since 2017. In 2024, 79,032 fish ponds were operational, with 61.2 per cent restocked with fingerlings. Coastal mariculture produced 134 tonnes valued at Sh4.2 million, marking a 19.6 per cent increase from 112 tonnes valued at Sh2.38 million in 2023.
Kenya exported 8,616 tonnes of fish and fishery products in 2024, valued at Sh5.876 billion. While lower than 10,707 tonnes worth Sh6.8 billion exported in 2023, the change reflects market realignment and diversification.
China remained the top export destination, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with 3,497 tonnes valued at Sh774.89 million, surpassing Italy (Sh645.11 million) and the Netherlands (Sh507.69 million).
Top Stories Today
