Traders make brisk business at Kado Fish Market

The bustling Kado Fish Market in the Federal Capital Territory has continued to play a vital role in ensuring a steady supply of fresh fish to Abuja residents while providing a sustainable source of livelihood for hundreds of traders despite rising transportation costs and security challenges.

Chairman of the Fresh Fish Sellers Association of Nigeria at the market, Aminu Adamu, in an interview with Abuja Metro said the market receives between 40 and 50 tonnes of fresh fish daily, supplying customers across the FCT and neighbouring states, including Kaduna and Nasarawa.

Adamu, who has spent 32 years in the business, said he inherited the trade from his father and has witnessed remarkable growth in the industry over the years.

He further explained that the market deals in a wide variety of fish species to meet the diverse preferences of consumers.

Although catfish remains the dominant product, traders also sell other species, including Hybrid, Clarias, Asa which is known as a scale fish, Crocker, and Tilapia.

He explained that while the business remains profitable, traders are, however, grappling with escalating transportation costs and insecurity along major supply routes from Kwara State, where a significant portion of the fish is sourced.

According to him, transportation costs have risen from about N150,000 to nearly N400,000 per trip, while roadblocks and delays often result in the death of live fish, leading to substantial financial losses.

Despite these challenges, Adamu described fish trading as a rewarding enterprise that has transformed many lives.

He noted that about 90 per cent of traders in the market are university graduates who have built houses, purchased cars and cater for their families through proceeds from the business.

“I can comfortably pay my children’s school fees through this business. Many graduates are doing well here because fish trading is a good business,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Ibrahim, another trader at the market, said he ventured into the fish business in 2014.

He acknowledged that the journey was characterised by several trials and errors but said perseverance and experience enabled him to overcome the challenges.

Ibrahim further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship, describing the fish trade as a viable means of earning a decent living with patience and commitment.

For Hauwa Aliyu, who specialises in retail sales, the market has become a dependable source of income for women.

She said the business had enabled her to support her family and pay her children’s school fees.

“This business has empowered many women. We may not make huge profits every day, but with consistency we are able to provide for our families and meet our responsibilities,” she said.

Mrs Grace Samuel, who has been selling fish at the market for over eight years, said customer patronage has remained encouraging despite the rising cost of living.

She said many households now buy smaller quantities of fish because of reduced purchasing power but noted that fish remains an affordable source of protein for many families.

“Some customers who used to buy five or six fish now buy two or three, but they still come because fish is part of their regular meals. We thank God the business is still moving,” she said.

Other traders at the market appealed to the government and relevant security agencies to improve security on major highways and address rising transportation costs to reduce business losses and ensure the continuous supply of fresh fish to Abuja and its environs.

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