Prepared fish imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of prepared fish by South Africa reached $122.1 million in 2024 (40.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 21% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $166.5 million.
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 | $122.1M | 40.8K t |
| 2023 | $100.7M | 32.8K t |
| 2022 | $122.5M | 46.5K t |
| 2021 | $111.5M | 45.3K t |
| 2020 | $111.4M | 47.1K t |
| 2019 | $140.2M | 54.8K t |
| 2018 | $166.5M | 57.9K t |
| 2017 | $125.1M | 45.4K t |
Where South Africa imports prepared fish from
One supplier dominates: Thailand accounted for 69% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $84.6M | 69% |
| China | $33.7M | 28% |
| Morocco | $798K | 0.7% |
| Poland | $681K | 0.6% |
| Italy | $425K | 0.4% |
| Latvia | $310K | 0.3% |
| Norway | $292K | 0.2% |
| Portugal | $285K | 0.2% |
| Spain | $240K | 0.2% |
| Indonesia | $122K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 1604
| 1604.13 | Fish preparations: sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | 57% |
| 1604.14 | Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and Atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | 39% |
| 1604.15 | Fish preparations: mackerel, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | 1.7% |
| 1604.20 | Fish preparations: fish minced or in forms n.e.c. in heading no. 1604, prepared or preserved | 1.1% |
| 1604.16 | Fish preparations: anchovies, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | 0.8% |
| 1604.11 | Fish preparations: salmon, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | 0.4% |
| 1604.31 | Fish preparations: caviar | 0.4% |
| 1604.12 | Fish preparations: herrings, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1604.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.00 per kg, 39% below the world average of $4.93, 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.
Prepared fish exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $44.7 million of prepared fish in 2024 (12.4 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (21%), Mauritius (14%), Italy (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+84% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $9.5M | 21% |
| Mauritius | $6.5M | 15% |
| Italy | $6.4M | 14% |
| Eswatini | $4.6M | 10% |
| Botswana | $3.7M | 8.3% |
| Lesotho | $3.3M | 7.4% |
| Portugal | $1.8M | 4.1% |
| Germany | $1.7M | 3.9% |
| Netherlands | $758K | 1.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $747K | 1.7% |
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 1604: Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs.
Common questions
What is the value of prepared fish imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported prepared fish worth $122.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 40.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 223 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 21% on 2023.
Which countries supply prepared fish to South Africa?
Thailand was the largest supplier with 69% of the value ($84.6 million), followed by China (28%) and Morocco (1%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 51 supplier countries in total. Morocco grew fastest among the top ten, up 141% on the year.
What is the average import price of prepared fish per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.00 per kg in 2024, 39% below the world average of $4.93 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 prepared fish to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $125.1 million in 2017 to $122.1 million in 2024, a fall of 2%. The peak was 2018 at $166.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export prepared fish?
Yes. South Africa exported $44.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Mauritius and Italy. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $77.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for prepared fish?
The HS code for prepared fish is heading 1604. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1604.13 (57% of the value) and 1604.14 (39%). It sits in HS chapter 16 (meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or insects; preparations thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1604 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
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