SADC: Frozen Whole Fish Market 2024

Frozen Whole Fish Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC frozen whole fish market decreased by -6.9% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Frozen Whole Fish Production in SADC

In value terms, frozen whole fish production declined modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +51.0% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 28%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Frozen Whole Fish Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, overseas shipments of frozen whole fish increased by 22% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Total exports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -31.3% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen whole fish exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Seychelles (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) were the largest exporters of frozen whole fish in 2021, reaching approx. 39% and 37% of total exports, respectively. South Africa (X tons) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Mauritius (5%).

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Seychelles (with a CAGR of +24.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest frozen whole fish supplying countries in SADC were Seychelles ($X), Namibia ($X) and South Africa ($X), with a combined 92% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Seychelles, with a CAGR of +13.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 2.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Mauritius ($X per ton) and Namibia ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) and Seychelles ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Frozen Whole Fish Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, imports of frozen whole fish in SADC contracted to X tons, with a decrease of -3.3% against 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen whole fish imports totaled $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a mild decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 15% 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

The countries with the highest levels of frozen whole fish imports in 2021 were South Africa (X tons), Mauritius (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Seychelles (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), together amounting to 90% of total import. Madagascar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of +19.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mauritius ($X), South Africa ($X) and Seychelles ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 59% of total imports. Zambia, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Zambia, with a CAGR of +16.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 9.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 15%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Mozambique ($X per ton) and Seychelles ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) were 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 (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform