Frozen fish imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported frozen fish worth $162.4 million (116.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The value was almost unchanged from 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 | $162.4M | 116.3K t |
| 2023 | $159.1M | 99.3K t |
| 2022 | $135.0M | 92.4K t |
| 2021 | $119.6M | 85.3K t |
| 2020 | $79.1M | 62.8K t |
| 2019 | $107.5M | 86.0K t |
| 2018 | $102.3M | 70.4K t |
| 2017 | $125.8M | 86.8K t |
Where Zambia imports frozen fish from
Namibia alone supplied 98% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $159.5M | 98% |
| China | $1.2M | 0.7% |
| South Africa | $933K | 0.6% |
| Poland | $285K | 0.2% |
| India | $144K | 0.1% |
| Chile | $123K | 0.1% |
| Oman | $66K | 0% |
| Latvia | $61K | 0% |
| United Arab Emirates | $26K | 0% |
| Japan | $16K | 0% |
Product types under HS 0303
| 0303.55 | Frozen jack mackerel | 86% |
| 0303.54 | Frozen mackerel | 4.3% |
| 0303.53 | Frozen sardines and sprats | 3.8% |
| 0303.66 | Frozen hake | 3.1% |
| 0303.89 | Other frozen fish | 1.4% |
| 0303.23 | Frozen tilapia | 1% |
| 0303.51 | Frozen herring | 0.1% |
| 0303.99 | Frozen fish offal | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0303.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.40 per kg, 32% 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 Zambia
Exports of frozen fish by Zambia reached $3.5 million in 2024 (2.5 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zimbabwe accounted for 62% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+217% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $2.2M | 62% |
| DR Congo | $773K | 22% |
| South Africa | $341K | 9.7% |
| Malawi | $193K | 5.5% |
| United States | $27K | 0.8% |
| Namibia | $6K | 0.2% |
| Botswana | $6K | 0.2% |
| Japan | $1K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia frozen fish imports (HS 0303): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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: Fish; frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304.
Common questions
What is the value of frozen fish imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported frozen fish worth $162.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 116.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 220 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply frozen fish to Zambia?
Namibia was the largest supplier with 98% of the value ($159.5 million), followed by China (1%) and South Africa (1%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 842% on the year.
What is the average import price of frozen fish per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.40 per kg in 2024, 32% below the world average of $2.06 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of frozen fish to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $125.8 million in 2017 to $162.4 million in 2024, an increase of 29%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $123.8 million a year.
Does Zambia also export frozen fish?
Yes. Zambia exported $3.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, the DR Congo and South Africa. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $158.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for frozen fish?
The HS code for frozen fish is heading 0303. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 0303.55 (86% of the value) and 0303.54 (4%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Zambia 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.
Same product, other countries
Frozen fish product types in Zambia
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