Kanduoiygiri Ice Plant Unable to Process Fish or Supply Ice: MIFCO
MIFCO has stated that although an ice plant and a fish processing factory were inaugurated in Kanduoiygiri this month, fish purchasing and ice sales have yet to commence. Despite government assurances that yellowfin tuna procurement arrangements were in place at the facility, fishermen have expressed frustration over the continued unavailability of these services. According to MIFCO, a definitive date for the official start of operations remains unconfirmed.
Minister Shiyam had previously stated that Kanduoiygiri has begun purchasing yellowfin tuna weighing over 15 kilograms at a rate of 25 Rufiyaa per kilogram. | mifco
The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has announced that fish processing operations and ice sales have been temporarily suspended at the Kanduoiygiri fish processing center.
MIFCO made the statement in response to an inquiry from Raajje TV’s "Fashaairu" program after the station contacted the company’s head office.
The ice plant and fish processing factory established by MIFCO in Kanduoiygiri was officially inaugurated on July 13th. Following the opening, the government stated that the facility features an ice plant with a daily production capacity of 25 metric tons, which is designed to provide essential services to all fishermen.
MIFCO Inaugurates Ice Plant and Fish Processing Factory in Kanduoiygiri. | PSM
Furthermore, Minister of Fisheries Ahmed Shiyam stated that the government has addressed a major grievance of fishermen regarding the lack of yellowfin tuna processing facilities at MIFCO. He noted that the Kanduoiygiri facility has now begun purchasing yellowfin tuna weighing over 15 kilograms at a rate of 25 Rufiyaa per kilogram.
However, fishermen maintain that these services are not being provided as described by the Minister. Fishermen further noted that the ongoing delays are causing them significant hardship.
To clarify the matter further, RaajjeTV contacted the MIFCO head office during Wednesday's "Fashaairu" program. MIFCO stated that since Kanduoiygiri was only recently opened, they have not yet commenced ice sales or fish processing operations at the site. MIFCO further noted that several other administrative and logistical tasks are currently underway at the facility. The company added that it cannot yet confirm a specific date for when ice sales and fish weighing services will officially begin at the location.
Kanduoiygiri was originally handed over to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in August 2024. However, during the course of 2025, the island was transferred back to the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO).
