The Cabinet of Minister has approved a proposal to increase the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) imposed on import of Mackerel Fish for production of canned fish by Rs 50 to Rs 100 per kilogram. 

About 20000MT of canned fish is imported annually for the domestic need. As a result of encouraging the local production of canned fish to save foreign exchange of Rs. 5 billion, since 2012 four local factories are engaged in canned fish productions. 

This has produced about 150 direct employment opportunities. 

In 2013 taxes on imported canned fish were increased to Rs. 100 per kilogram to encourage the local production and it was reduced to Rs. 50 for providing concessions to the customers in 2015. 

Accordingly, a can of 425g fish should include 280g of fish excluding liquid and be sold at a maximum price of Rs. 140, and a can of 155g fish should include 105g of fish excluding liquid and be sold at a maximum price of Rs. 70. 

However, the expected relief has not been reached the customer while the importation of canned fish has increased to 40000Mt in 2015 that have cost Rs 10 billion foreign exchange, the cabinet spokesman said. 

“Hence, the proposal made by Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Mahinda Amaraweera, to grant the concessionary levy on importation of Mackerel only to local canned fish producers, and only for those who produce them complying with given standards, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.”