Africa: Frozen Fish Meat Market 2025

Frozen Fish Meat Market Size in Africa

The African frozen fish meat market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, surging by 3.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Production in Africa

In value terms, frozen fish meat production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Fish Meat Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of frozen fish meat decreased by -50.6% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 79% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen fish meat exports dropped remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons) represented the major exporter of frozen fish meat, mixing up 47% of total exports. Mauritania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 14% share, followed by Tanzania (14%), Mauritius (9.7%) and Senegal (6%). The following exporters - Madagascar (X tons) and Somalia (X tons) - each reached a 3.5% share of total exports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of frozen fish meat. At the same time, Mauritania (+38.1%), Madagascar (+6.3%) and Senegal (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +38.1% from 2012-2021. Somalia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Mauritius (-17.0%) and Tanzania (-23.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+35 p.p.), Mauritania (+14 p.p.) and Senegal (+4.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Mauritius and Tanzania saw its share reduced by -4.3% and -25.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Senegal ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 73% share of total exports. Mauritius, Mauritania, Somalia and Madagascar lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

Mauritania, with a CAGR of +43.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 27% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while Mauritania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Somalia (+18.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Fish Meat Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of frozen fish meat imported in Africa rose notably to X tons, picking up by 8.9% on the year before. In general, imports, however, showed a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen fish meat imports rose to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons) represented the major importer of frozen fish meat, making up 41% of total imports. Algeria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Ghana (5.6%), Mauritius (5.3%) and Egypt (4.5%). Cabo Verde (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Rwanda (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -11.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ghana (+42.5%), Cabo Verde (+13.3%), Rwanda (+8.8%) and Zimbabwe (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +42.5% from 2012-2021. Egypt and Algeria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Nigeria (-2.5%), Tunisia (-3.4%), Mauritius (-11.4%) and Morocco (-20.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Algeria (+6.3 p.p.), Ghana (+5.5 p.p.), Morocco (+3.8 p.p.), Cabo Verde (+3.7 p.p.), Egypt (+2.5 p.p.), Zimbabwe (+2 p.p.) and Rwanda (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Mauritius and South Africa saw its share reduced by -2.5% and -17.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported frozen fish meat in Africa, comprising 27% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Algeria ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Mauritius, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa stood at -14.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Algeria (-0.5% per year) and Mauritius (-10.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, waning by -6.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 33% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Cabo Verde ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Rwanda (+17.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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