Enugu Residents Lament Rising Cost Of Frozen Fish

Some residents of Enugu have expressed concern over the rising cost of various types of fish in the state.

A correspondent who monitored the situation in some major markets in the state capital yesterday said prices of popular species such as Scumbia, Mackerel (Titus) and croaker have increased significantly.

At Ogbete Market, one Titus and Scumbia fish now sell for between N4,500 and N6,000  depending on size and freshness, while the price of horse mackerel goes for between N5,000 and N7,500.

At some meat shops in New Haven and Artisan Markets, a kilogram of ice fish sell at between N8,000 and N12,000 depending on the type.

Croaker, snapper and barracuda now sell between N10,000 and N14,000 depending on the size and source.

One frozen fish trader at Ogbete Market, Mrs Elizabeth Ugwu, said the cost of iced fish had been fluctuating since 2025 due to high transportation and importation costs.

Ugwu revealed that most of the fish she sold came from Lagos or Port Harcourt cold rooms, adding that the cost of transportation alone had doubled because of increased fuel prices.

She lamented that sometimes, before the goods got to Enugu, the ice had started melting.

“Before now, I used to buy a carton of Titus at N45,000, but it is now N85,000 or even N90,000, depending on where you buy them from.

“We still sell, but not as before. Some customers now buy half kilo instead of one kilo or a single fish” she said.

Another fish dealer at Kenyatta Market, Mrs Eucharia Ochie, blamed the high prices on importation challenges and inadequate cold room facilities.

“Most of these frozen fishes are imported from China, and other parts of the country.

“Cold room operators also spend much on diesel to preserve the fish before it reaches us. All these costs are passed down to the final consumer,” Ochie disclosed. (NAN)