Fish exports top N$3 billion in 2023

Fish rakes in foreign income
In 2023, Namibia recorded a N$400 million increase in the value of fish products it exported compared to the previous year.
Ogone Tlhage
  • 1 Month Ago - 2024-03-28 00:00:00
Namibia exported N$3 billion worth of fish in 2023, marking a N$400 million increase in fish exports compared to 2022.
This is according to the Namibia Statistics Agency's (NSA's) Agriculture and Fisheries Bulletin for the fourth quarter of 2023.
“During the fourth quarter of 2023, exports of fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates were valued at N$3 billion, an increase when compared to N$2.6 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022,” the NSA said.
The main export destination for the fourth quarter of 2023 was Spain, accounting for 30.5% of total exports. The main product exported to Spain was frozen hake fillets.
“The second export destination was Zambia, with a 22.2% share. The main product exported to this country was horse mackerel. Mozambique was the third export destination, accounting for 10.7% of the of the market share, where Namibia mainly exported horse mackerel,” the NSA said.

Imports
During the quarter under review, imports of fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates were valued at N$165.4 million, a decrease when compared to N$400.2 million that was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.
“Products of fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates were mainly sourced from South Africa, accounting for 25.2% share. The main product that was imported from South Africa was hake. Falkland Islands was in second place with a share of 24.2% – cuttlefish and squid were the only products sourced from this country. Spain accounted for 15.4% share of total imports during the quarter under review. The main products imported from Spain were cuttlefish and squid,” the NSA said.

Landing quotas
Total landings of quota species during the fourth quarter of 2023 amounted to 87 456 metric tonnes, a decline of 40.9% when compared to 148 097 metric tonnes recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022, according to the NSA.
Horse mackerel recorded the highest landings of 66 327 metric tonnes, followed by hake in second place with 18 385 metric tonnes, followed by monk, which recorded 2 059 metric tonnes.