By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Erastus
Fish, the once-affordable staple food in Namibia is becoming costly, experiencing a significant spike in prices since May and posing challenges for consumers.
The recent spike in the price of fish is the second largest commodity price increase recorded since May after vegetables.
According to the latest consumer price index, fish prices rose by 15.5% in October 2023, as reported by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
The most substantial increases were observed in dried, smoked, or salted fish and seafood (from -4.7% to 13.6%); bottled/tinned fish (from 1.4% to 13.6%); and fresh, chilled & frozen fish (from 6.6% to 16.3%).
Traditionally considered a more accessible alternative to beef and chicken, fish is now facing both price hikes and scarcity in various locations in Windhoek.
The scarcity of fish has been observed despite the government’s effort to improve the accessibility and affordability of fish by locals through the establishment of the Namibia Fish Consumption Trust and the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia.
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