Horse mackerel, a species that was once common on the market stalls of Matadi, is now causing concern among consumers due to its increasing scarcity and the exorbitant prices at which it is sold. This worrying situation, observed by a Fatshimétrie reporter, raises questions about the root causes of this shortage and its impact on the nutritional balance of the Congolese.
According to Joachim Kikufuila, manager of AFRIFOOD, one of the main reasons for this scarcity lies in government policies that discourage imports of frozen foods, which include horse mackerel. The surcharges and restrictions imposed by the State thus hinder access to these products, making their supply difficult for local and international companies.
To address this alarming situation, Joachim Kikufuila proposes an ambitious solution: support and finance national economic operators to promote the import of frozen foods, particularly horse mackerel, which are particularly appreciated by the Congolese population. This initiative could help restore the supply of these fish on the market and stabilize their prices.
The observation is clear: the SOKIN wholesale site, usually supplied with horse mackerel fish, is facing prolonged stock shortages, highlighting the difficulty of importing these products into the DRC. SOKIN employees are desperately waiting for the boats to arrive, but deliveries are still delayed, raising fears of a worsening of the shortage.
Faced with this critical situation, SOCIMEX appears to be one of the rare distributors of horse mackerel fish, but only of a small size (16+), less popular with consumers. The other cold rooms, supplied from Angolan border municipalities or from the hinterland, are struggling to meet the growing demand, leading to a surge in prices that penalizes consumers.
This horse mackerel supply crisis has its origins in the closure of the EGAL company, a major transit point for the importation of these products into the DRC. Since then, supply difficulties have been felt, forcing sector players to find alternatives to meet consumer demand.
Faced with this worrying reality, it is appropriate to consider concrete measures to guarantee access to a diversified and quality diet for all citizens. The issue of importing horse mackerel is symptomatic of the challenges faced by the food sector in the DRC, calling for in-depth consideration of the economic and trade policies to be put in place to promote the availability of essential food products on the market.