Zimbabwe adopts African standards for fish and fish products

Theseus Shambare

Herald Correspondent

ZIMBABWE has adopted continental standards for fish and fish products, a move expected to boost the competitiveness of local fisheries and aquaculture businesses while improving food safety and market access across the region.

The announcement was made by Livestock and Fisheries Production Department director Mr Milton Makumbe, during the two-day “Awareness Programme: Enhancing Regional Trade and Conformity Assessment in Fisheries and Aquaculture through Standards Implementation,” which started on Wednesday in Harare.

Speaking at the event, Mr Makumbe emphasised that adherence to African standards, developed under the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and implemented through the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), is vital for the sustainable growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the fisheries sector.

“These standards are transformative. They unlock trade opportunities, fortify food safety and empower our businesses to compete on a continental and global scale,” he said.

“Our SMEs, fish farmers, processors, and traders form the backbone of the fisheries value chain. Aligning with African standards ensures they remain competitive and meet quality benchmarks demanded by consumers.”

Zimbabwe has already adopted several ARSO standards, signalling its commitment to harmonising national frameworks with regional trade requirements.

The move also supports Zimbabwean participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), allowing SMEs to transition from informal operations to structured, market-driven enterprises.

In tandem with standard adoption, the government is rolling out a tilapia marketing strategy developed under the FSH4ACP project, led by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Division (FARD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The strategy, which will be officially launched next week, provides a roadmap for strengthening market access, improving competitiveness and positioning Zimbabwean farmed tilapia in both regional and international markets.

To further support SMEs, the government has introduced measures to reduce the cost of doing business in the sector, including the removal of 15,5 percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on fish and fish product sales, a 50 percent reduction in lake lease fees and the elimination of fish harvest fees.

Mr Makumbe said the reforms and adoption of African standards will not only improve production efficiency and product quality but also stimulate sector growth, create employment and strengthen rural livelihoods.

“By equipping SMEs with the knowledge, tools and support needed to implement these standards, Zimbabwe can transform its fisheries and aquaculture sector into a vibrant, competitive and sustainable industry,” he said.