Seafood and fish production in South Africa
South Africa: Seafood and fish production was 3,000 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
3,000 tonnes
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
43rd
of 135 countries
All-time high
17,540 tonnes
in 2004
All-time low
100 tonnes
in 1962
Years of data
63
1961–2023
Seafood and fish production in South Africa, 1961–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 3,000 tonnes for seafood and fish production in 2023.
That represents a change of unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, seafood and fish production in South Africa peaked at 17,540 tonnes in 2004 and was at its lowest, 100 tonnes, in 1962.
That places South Africa 43rd out of 135 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Seafood and fish production in South Africa, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 200 tonnes | — |
| 1962 | 100 tonnes | -50.0% |
| 1963 | 200 tonnes | +100.0% |
| 1964 | 200 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 200 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 200 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 300 tonnes | +50.0% |
| 1968 | 200 tonnes | -33.3% |
| 1969 | 100 tonnes | -50.0% |
| 1970 | 300 tonnes | +200.0% |
| 1971 | 200 tonnes | -33.3% |
| 1972 | 300 tonnes | +50.0% |
| 1973 | 600 tonnes | +100.0% |
| 1974 | 1,320 tonnes | +120.0% |
| 1975 | 850 tonnes | -35.6% |
| 1976 | 1,030 tonnes | +21.2% |
| 1977 | 1,280 tonnes | +24.3% |
| 1978 | 2,650 tonnes | +107.0% |
| 1979 | 2,890 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1980 | 2,050 tonnes | -29.1% |
| 1981 | 2,230 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1982 | 1,870 tonnes | -16.1% |
| 1983 | 1,810 tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1984 | 1,330 tonnes | -26.5% |
| 1985 | 4,450 tonnes | +234.6% |
| 1986 | 4,370 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1987 | 3,670 tonnes | -16.0% |
| 1988 | 6,070 tonnes | +65.4% |
| 1989 | 11,220 tonnes | +84.8% |
| 1990 | 5,190 tonnes | -53.7% |
| 1991 | 7,210 tonnes | +38.9% |
| 1992 | 3,260 tonnes | -54.8% |
| 1993 | 6,500 tonnes | +99.4% |
| 1994 | 5,940 tonnes | -8.6% |
| 1995 | 7,100 tonnes | +19.5% |
| 1996 | 7,570 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1997 | 3,830 tonnes | -49.4% |
| 1998 | 6,770 tonnes | +76.8% |
| 1999 | 7,300 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 2000 | 6,160 tonnes | -15.6% |
| 2001 | 3,550 tonnes | -42.4% |
| 2002 | 7,540 tonnes | +112.4% |
| 2003 | 7,780 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 2004 | 17,540 tonnes | +125.4% |
| 2005 | 10,630 tonnes | -39.4% |
| 2006 | 7,080 tonnes | -33.4% |
| 2007 | 10,300 tonnes | +45.5% |
| 2008 | 8,630 tonnes | -16.2% |
| 2009 | 10,390 tonnes | +20.4% |
| 2010 | 10,000 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 2011 | 9,000 tonnes | -10.0% |
| 2012 | 7,000 tonnes | -22.2% |
| 2013 | 3,000 tonnes | -57.1% |
| 2014 | 7,000 tonnes | +133.3% |
| 2015 | 7,000 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 10,000 tonnes | +42.9% |
| 2017 | 1,000 tonnes | -90.0% |
| 2018 | 14,000 tonnes | +1300.0% |
| 2019 | 8,000 tonnes | -42.9% |
| 2020 | 10,000 tonnes | +25.0% |
| 2021 | 3,000 tonnes | -70.0% |
| 2022 | 3,000 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 3,000 tonnes | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 188.89 tonnes | 100 tonnes | 300 tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 1,142 tonnes | 200 tonnes | 2,890 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 3,907 tonnes | 1,330 tonnes | 11,220 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 6,067 tonnes | 3,260 tonnes | 7,570 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 8,960 tonnes | 3,550 tonnes | 17,540 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,600 tonnes | 1,000 tonnes | 14,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,750 tonnes | 3,000 tonnes | 10,000 tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 41 Cambodia 5,000 tonnes compare
- 42 Iran, Islamic Republic of 4,000 tonnes compare
- 43 Brazil 3,000 tonnes compare
- 43 Egypt 3,000 tonnes compare
- 43 Mozambique 3,000 tonnes compare
More agriculture & rural data for South Africa
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 7.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0283 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 186.56 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 0.812 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.3618 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 2.8% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 2.8% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 2.0% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is seafood and fish production in South Africa?
- Seafood and fish production in South Africa was 3,000 tonnes in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest seafood and fish production recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 17,540 tonnes in 2004.
- What is the lowest seafood and fish production recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 100 tonnes in 1962.
- How does South Africa rank for seafood and fish production?
- South Africa ranks 43rd out of 135 countries with data for 2023.
- Is seafood and fish production rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Seafood and fish production. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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