ECOWAS: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in ECOWAS

In 2021, the ECOWAS frozen freshwater fish market increased by 34% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. The total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production posted a measured expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 55%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of frozen freshwater fish, when their volume decreased by -12.3% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, posted a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 649%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports declined to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 615% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports by Country

Senegal prevails in exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 87% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Guinea (X tons), comprising a 6.8% share of total exports. Guinea-Bissau (X tons) and Gambia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Senegal was also the fastest-growing in terms of the frozen freshwater fish exports, with a CAGR of +184.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Gambia (+63.6%), Guinea-Bissau (+46.4%) and Guinea (+6.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Senegal increased by +87 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Senegal ($X) remains the largest frozen freshwater fish supplier in ECOWAS, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Guinea ($X), with a 23% share of total exports. It was followed by Gambia, with a 4.1% share.

In Senegal, frozen freshwater fish exports increased at an average annual rate of +202.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guinea (+20.9% per year) and Gambia (+75.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a mild descent. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Guinea ($X per ton), while Guinea-Bissau ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guinea (+13.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

In 2021, imports of frozen freshwater fish in ECOWAS expanded notably to X tons, picking up by 12% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports showed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 86% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) was the main importer of frozen freshwater fish, creating 42% of total imports. Senegal (X tons) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Mali (9.6%), Guinea (9.2%), Burkina Faso (5.7%) and Ghana (5.7%). Nigeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to frozen freshwater fish imports into Cote d'Ivoire stood at +15.0%. At the same time, Senegal (+224.7%), Nigeria (+88.0%), Burkina Faso (+82.0%), Guinea (+29.7%), Mali (+10.4%) and Ghana (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +224.7% from 2012-2021. While the share of Senegal (+17 p.p.), Burkina Faso (+5.6 p.p.), Guinea (+5.3 p.p.) and Nigeria (+2.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Mali (-7.5 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (-9.8 p.p.) and Ghana (-11.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Cote d'Ivoire ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported frozen freshwater fish in ECOWAS, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Senegal ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Mali, with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Cote d'Ivoire amounted to +14.3%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Senegal (+137.8% per year) and Mali (+21.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by 21%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mali (+10.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform