Frozen fish imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $169.5 million of frozen fish in 2024 (140.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 17% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $169.5M | 140.3K t |
| 2023 | $144.9M | 116.9K t |
| 2022 | $207.1M | 175.2K t |
| 2021 | $189.2M | 145.7K t |
| 2020 | $133.3M | 107.6K t |
| 2019 | $190.6M | 155.6K t |
| 2018 | $185.6M | 161.8K t |
| 2017 | $162.1M | 130.6K t |
Where South Africa imports frozen fish from
The largest suppliers were China (19%), Namibia (18%), Morocco (14%). Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $31.7M | 19% |
| Namibia | $30.8M | 18% |
| Morocco | $24.1M | 14% |
| New Zealand | $16.2M | 9.5% |
| South Korea | $14.3M | 8.5% |
| Norway | $6.9M | 4.1% |
| Russia | $5.4M | 3.2% |
| Japan | $4.9M | 2.9% |
| Mexico | $4.6M | 2.7% |
| Taiwan | $4.4M | 2.6% |
Product types under HS 0303
| 0303.53 | Fish: frozen, sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets… | 45% |
| 0303.89 | Fish: frozen, n.e.c. in heading 0303, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 | 13% |
| 0303.66 | Fish: frozen, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 | 12% |
| 0303.55 | Fish: frozen, jack and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 | 8.3% |
| 0303.23 | Fish: frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 | 4.2% |
| 0303.67 | Fish: frozen, Alaska pollack (Theraga chalcogramma), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99 | 3.2% |
| 0303.13 | Fish: frozen, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Danube salmon (Hucho hucho), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of… | 2.9% |
| 0303.14 | Fish: frozen, trout (Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Oncorhynchus clarki, Oncorhynchus aguabonita, Oncorhynchus gilae, Oncorhynchus apache and… | 2.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0303.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.21 per kg, 41% below the world average of $2.06, 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.
Frozen fish exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported frozen fish worth $113.9 million (38.2 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Spain (38%), Portugal (12%), Italy (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Vietnam grew fastest (+164% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $43.0M | 38% |
| Portugal | $13.4M | 12% |
| Italy | $11.0M | 9.7% |
| Mozambique | $9.7M | 8.5% |
| Namibia | $8.5M | 7.5% |
| United States | $4.7M | 4.1% |
| South Korea | $4.5M | 3.9% |
| Seychelles | $2.6M | 2.3% |
| Vietnam | $2.3M | 2% |
| Mauritius | $1.6M | 1.4% |
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
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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 0303: Fish; frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304.
Common questions
What is the value of frozen fish imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported frozen fish worth $169.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 140.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 220 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 17% on 2023.
Which countries supply frozen fish to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 19% of the value ($31.7 million), followed by Namibia (18%) and Morocco (14%). The top three together account for 51%, out of 55 supplier countries in total. Mexico grew fastest among the top ten, up 324% on the year.
What is the average import price of frozen fish per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.21 per kg in 2024, 41% below the world average of $2.06 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 imports of frozen fish to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $162.1 million in 2017 to $169.5 million in 2024, an increase of 5%. The peak was 2022 at $207.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export frozen fish?
Yes. South Africa exported $113.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Spain, Portugal and Italy. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $55.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for frozen fish?
The HS code for frozen fish is heading 0303. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0303.53 (45% of the value) and 0303.89 (13%). 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 0303 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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