South Africa's dependence on imported fish: Trends and prospects

In 2023, South Africa relied heavily on imports to meet its fish and seafood needs, bringing in 140.7 thousand tons valued at $277.1 million. The imports consisted of a variety of fish such as sardines, tuna, shrimp, and hake fillets. Despite Russia's minimal presence in this market, it presents a potential expansion opportunity for Russian producers, especially with the growing food security focus within the BRICS bloc. By 2030, Russian exports to African countries, including South Africa, are anticipated to see a significant increase, with fish species like Iwashi sardine, horse mackerel, herring, and cod being notable. This situation underscores South Africa's dependency on imported fish, which is expected to persist, offering promising opportunities for countries like Russia to increase their export footprint in the African market.

Imports as the basis of the market In 2023, South Africa imported 140.7 thousand tons of fish and seafood worth $277.1 million. The main items in imports are sardines, canned tuna, frozen shrimp and hake fillets. This highlights not only the country's high dependence on external supplies, but also the diversity of consumer demand for seafood. It is interesting to note that Russian fish producers still occupy an insignificant share of this market, having exported only 7.7 thousand tons of fish and seafood worth $8.4 million last year. Nevertheless, the South African market is a promising direction for Russian supplies, especially given the growing volumes of production and consumption in the BRICS countries. Prospects for Russian supplies Given that South Africa is a member of BRICS, interstate cooperation between the members of this association is actively developing. This creates additional opportunities for expanding trade and ensuring food security. According to VARPE ...