The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has announced plans to begin direct fish exports from Addu City within the next month, eliminating the need to transport catches to Kooddoo in Huvadhu Atoll before shipment.

The new arrangement is expected to streamline operations and reduce transit time for exports from the southern region. MIFCO also revealed that work is underway to begin value-added fish processing in Addu by the end of the year.

The Addu Fisheries Complex, which serves as a processing and storage facility for fish purchased from local fishermen, has a storage capacity of 1,500 tonnes.

As part of its expansion plans, MIFCO also aims to start purchasing yellowfin tuna caught in both the northern and southern regions later this year. The company added that the fish sales centre currently under construction in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo is expected to be operational next year.