Frozen tilapia imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of frozen tilapia by South Africa reached $7.2 million in 2024 (8.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value rose 31% 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 | $7.2M | 8.7K t |
| 2023 | $5.5M | 7.8K t |
| 2022 | $7.0M | 7.7K t |
| 2021 | $7.9M | 10.6K t |
| 2020 | $6.3M | 3.0K t |
| 2019 | $7.6M | 3.9K t |
| 2018 | $6.8M | 8.4K t |
| 2017 | $8.4M | 5.6K t |
Where South Africa imports frozen tilapia from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 94% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Zambia grew fastest (+61% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.8M | 94% |
| Zambia | $341K | 4.8% |
| India | $51K | 0.7% |
| Indonesia | $31K | 0.4% |
| Myanmar | $1K | 0% |
| Taiwan | $1K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.82 per kg, 56% below the world average of $1.85, 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 tilapia exports from South Africa
Exports of frozen tilapia by South Africa reached $1.0 million in 2024 (910 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (39%), DR Congo (31%), Botswana (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest (+345% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $410K | 39% |
| DR Congo | $319K | 31% |
| Botswana | $162K | 16% |
| Ghana | $58K | 5.6% |
| Eswatini | $31K | 3% |
| Namibia | $23K | 2.2% |
| China | $21K | 2% |
| Mozambique | $9K | 0.9% |
| Somalia | $4K | 0.3% |
| Uganda | $3K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa frozen tilapia imports (HS 0303.23): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 0303.23: Fish: frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Common questions
What is the value of frozen tilapia imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported frozen tilapia worth $7.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 13th of 152 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 31% on 2023.
Which countries supply frozen tilapia to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 94% of the value ($6.8 million), followed by Zambia (5%) and India (1%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 6 supplier countries in total. Zambia grew fastest among the top ten, up 61% on the year.
What is the average import price of frozen tilapia per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.82 per kg in 2024, 56% below the world average of $1.85 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of frozen tilapia to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $8.4 million in 2017 to $7.2 million in 2024, a fall of 15%. The peak was 2017 at $8.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $7.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also export frozen tilapia?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, the DR Congo and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $6.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for frozen tilapia?
The HS code for frozen tilapia is subheading 0303.23. 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?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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