SADC: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC frozen freshwater fish market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Production in SADC

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a deep setback. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, exports of frozen freshwater fish in SADC declined notably to X tons, shrinking by -34.2% on 2020 figures. Overall, exports saw a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 22%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports declined remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports faced a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mauritius represented the key exporter of frozen freshwater fish in SADC, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 47% of total exports in 2021. South Africa (X tons) held a 25% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Zambia (9.7%), Tanzania (5.6%) and Angola (4.8%). Madagascar (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Zambia (with a CAGR of +81.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest frozen freshwater fish supplying countries in SADC were South Africa ($X), Mauritius ($X) and Madagascar ($X), together comprising 83% of total exports. These countries were followed by Tanzania, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, which together accounted for a further 16%.

Zambia, with a CAGR of +65.5%, saw 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

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -5.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a measured increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 49% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Zambia ($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 (+11.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, frozen freshwater fish imports in SADC dropped significantly to X tons, with a decrease of -20.7% against the previous year's figure. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports contracted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 9.9%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of frozen freshwater fish imports in 2021 were South Africa (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Mauritius (X tons), together amounting to 88% of total import. It was distantly followed by Zambia (X tons), comprising a 6.6% share of total imports. The following importers - Angola (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) - each amounted to a 3.1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for South Africa (with a CAGR of +9.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), South Africa ($X) and Mauritius ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 90% of total imports.

South Africa, with a CAGR of +5.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 21% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, 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 (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform