Fish fillets exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of fish fillets by South Africa reached $159.4 million in 2024 (27.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 4% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $159.4M | 27.5K t |
| 2023 | $153.3M | 26.7K t |
| 2022 | $138.3M | 27.1K t |
| 2021 | $147.4M | 28.3K t |
| 2020 | $131.0M | 26.4K t |
| 2019 | $150.1M | 28.3K t |
| 2018 | $152.7M | 28.4K t |
| 2017 | $129.4M | 24.2K t |
Where South Africa exports fish fillets to
Most of it went to Spain (29%), Italy (20%), Australia (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Ireland grew fastest (+42% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $45.9M | 29% |
| Italy | $31.5M | 20% |
| Australia | $15.7M | 9.9% |
| Portugal | $10.3M | 6.5% |
| United Kingdom | $10.2M | 6.4% |
| United States | $6.6M | 4.2% |
| Netherlands | $6.4M | 4% |
| Poland | $6.1M | 3.9% |
| France | $5.1M | 3.2% |
| Ireland | $3.5M | 2.2% |
Product types under HS 0304
| 0304.74 | Fish fillets: frozen, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis spp.) | 81% |
| 0304.89 | Fish fillets: frozen, of fish n.e.c. in heading 0304.8 | 8.3% |
| 0304.79 | Fish fillets: frozen, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae… | 2.5% |
| 0304.44 | Fish fillets: fresh or chilled, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae, and… | 2.1% |
| 0304.99 | Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced: frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0304.9 | 1.5% |
| 0304.95 | Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced: frozen, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae… | 1.2% |
| 0304.49 | Fish fillets: fresh or chilled, other than fish of heading 0304.4 | 0.5% |
| 0304.39 | Fish fillets: fresh or chilled, carp (as specified by the WCO), eels (Anguilla spp.), and snakeheads (Channa spp.) | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0304.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.80 per kg, close to the world average of $6.41.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Fish fillets imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported fish fillets worth $32.4 million (8.1 thousand tonnes). Namibia alone supplied 69% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $22.5M | 69% |
| Norway | $6.6M | 21% |
| Vietnam | $938K | 2.9% |
| United States | $780K | 2.4% |
| China | $382K | 1.2% |
| Netherlands | $365K | 1.1% |
| New Zealand | $325K | 1% |
| Malaysia | $243K | 0.8% |
| Peru | $106K | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | $45K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0304: Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced); fresh, chilled or frozen.
Common questions
What is the value of fish fillets exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported fish fillets worth $159.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 27.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 29th of 173 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy fish fillets from South Africa?
Spain was the largest buyer with 29% of the value ($45.9 million), followed by Italy (20%) and Australia (10%). The top three together account for 58%, out of 54 buyer countries in total. Ireland grew fastest among the top ten, up 42% on the year.
What is the average export price of fish fillets per kg?
The average declared export value was about $5.80 per kg in 2024, 10% below the world average of $6.41 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of fish fillets from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $129.4 million in 2017 to $159.4 million in 2024, an increase of 23%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import fish fillets?
Yes. South Africa imported $32.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Namibia, Norway and Vietnam. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $127.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for fish fillets?
The HS code for fish fillets is heading 0304. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0304.74 (81% of the value) and 0304.89 (8%). It sits in HS chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0304 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
More trade data for South Africa
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