SADC: Frozen Fish Meat Market 2025

Frozen Fish Meat Market Size in SADC

The SADC frozen fish meat market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, with an increase of 2.2% 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 reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Production in SADC

In value terms, frozen fish meat production fell modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, overseas shipments of frozen fish meat decreased by -52.5% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports recorded a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 60%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure 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 fell sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 47% 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 stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the main exporter of frozen fish meat in SADC, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 65% of total exports in 2021. Tanzania (X tons) took a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Mauritius (13%). Madagascar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of frozen fish meat. At the same time, Madagascar (+6.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Madagascar emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +6.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Mauritius (-17.0%) and Tanzania (-23.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+51 p.p.) and Madagascar (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Mauritius (-2 p.p.) and Tanzania (-24.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Mauritius ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 97% of total exports. These countries were followed by Madagascar, which accounted for a further 2.9%.

Madagascar, with a CAGR of -0.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritius (+10.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Frozen Fish Meat Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, approx. X tons of frozen fish meat were imported in SADC; increasing by 16% on the previous year. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen fish meat imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 24%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa dominates imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 75% of total imports in 2021. Mauritius (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Zimbabwe (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 15% share of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to frozen fish meat imports into South Africa stood at -11.1%. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +3.6% from 2012-2021. Swaziland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Democratic Republic of the Congo (-3.5%), Mauritius (-11.4%) and Zambia (-13.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Zimbabwe and Swaziland increased by +4.1 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported frozen fish meat in SADC, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to -14.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritius (-10.8% per year) and Zimbabwe (+1.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 17%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform