Fresh trout imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of fresh trout by South Africa reached $4.2 million in 2024 (808 tonnes). Value fell 20% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4.2M | 808 t |
| 2023 | $5.2M | 988 t |
| 2022 | $4.2M | 924 t |
| 2021 | $1.8M | 524 t |
| 2020 | $2.1M | 632 t |
| 2019 | $3.1M | 733 t |
| 2018 | $1.3M | 362 t |
| 2017 | $1.5M | 367 t |
Where South Africa imports fresh trout from
One supplier dominates: Lesotho accounted for 99% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $4.2M | 99% |
| United Kingdom | $39K | 0.9% |
| Norway | $0K | 0% |
| Armenia | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.22 per kg, 26% below the world average of $7.06, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Fresh trout exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported fresh trout worth $293 thousand (83 tonnes). Lesotho alone took 88% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+733% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $259K | 88% |
| Namibia | $19K | 6.4% |
| Tanzania | $12K | 4% |
| Mozambique | $2K | 0.6% |
| Zambia | $1K | 0.3% |
| Saint Helena | $0K | 0.1% |
| Eswatini | $0K | 0.1% |
| Botswana | $0K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa fresh trout imports (HS 0302.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 0302.11: Fish: fresh or chilled, trout (Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Oncorhynchus clarki, Oncorhynchus aguabonita, Oncorhynchus gilae, Oncorhynchus apache and Oncorhynchus chrysogaster), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of 0302.9.
Common questions
What is the value of fresh trout imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported fresh trout worth $4.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 808 tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 116 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 20% on 2023.
Which countries supply fresh trout to South Africa?
Lesotho was the largest supplier with 99% of the value ($4.2 million), followed by the United Kingdom (1%) and Norway (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 4 supplier countries in total.
What is the average import price of fresh trout per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.22 per kg in 2024, 26% below the world average of $7.06 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of fresh trout to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.5 million in 2017 to $4.2 million in 2024, an increase of 188%. The peak was 2023 at $5.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also export fresh trout?
Yes. South Africa exported $293 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Namibia and Tanzania. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for fresh trout?
The HS code for fresh trout is subheading 0302.11. 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 0302 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
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