South Africa: Market for Dried Or Smoked Fish 2025

Market Size for Dried Or Smoked Fish in South Africa

In 2021, the South African dried or smoked fish market was finally on the rise to reach $X after five years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Dried Or Smoked Fish in South Africa

In value terms, dried or smoked fish production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 40%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Dried Or Smoked Fish

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of dried or smoked fish decreased by -2.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, dried or smoked fish exports expanded to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Australia (X tons) was the main destination for dried or smoked fish exports from South Africa, accounting for a 78% share of total exports. Moreover, dried or smoked fish exports to Australia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Japan (X tons), ninefold. Namibia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Australia totaled +3.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (+0.3% per year) and Namibia (+1.0% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($X) remains the key foreign market for dried or smoked fish exports from South Africa, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Australia was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-11.0% per year) and Namibia (+7.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average dried or smoked fish export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 7.6% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, dried or smoked fish export price decreased by -29.6% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Israel (+27.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Dried Or Smoked Fish

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, imports of dried or smoked fish into South Africa expanded rapidly to X tons, with an increase of 13% against the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, faced a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 92%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, dried or smoked fish imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Namibia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of dried or smoked fish to South Africa, accounting for a 69% share of total imports. Moreover, dried or smoked fish imports from Namibia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Malawi (X tons), sixfold. Norway (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Namibia totaled -12.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malawi (+210.2% per year) and Norway (-9.2% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of dried or smoked fish to South Africa, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Norway ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by Japan, with a 7.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Namibia amounted to -8.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Norway (-10.2% per year) and Japan (+12.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average dried or smoked fish import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -4.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, enjoyed a mild expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by 121% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the price for Malawi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malawi (+20.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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