Tanzania's fish export industry has seen a substantial 41% increase over the past year, thanks to the booming aquafarming sector. Export volumes soared to 41,271 tonnes by April 2023/24, up from 26,466 tonnes in the previous year.
Dr. Nazael Madala, Director of Aquaculture at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, credited this growth to enhanced seaweed farming and strengthened management of sea product exports and processing facilities. "Aquafarming, particularly seaweed production, has been pivotal in driving up exports," Dr. Madala told the Daily News.
To maintain this upward trajectory, the ministry plans to continue bolstering and seeking new international markets for Tanzanian fish products. The ministry has set an ambitious target of exporting 46,000 tonnes of fish products in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
In his budget presentation, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Abdallah Ulega reported that the total export value reached TZS 515.78 billion by April this year. However, he noted a decline in the export of live decorative fish, with 134,572 exported this year compared to 150,308 in 2022/23.
On the import front, Tanzania imports a minimal amount of fish relative to its production—about 0.003% per year, mainly salmon to meet the demands of tourist hotels. Up to April this fiscal year, the country imported only 12.90 tonnes of fish, compared to 6.92 tonnes in the previous year.Overall fish production increased to 472,579 tonnes this fiscal year, up from 426,555 tonnes in the prior year.
According to the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (WorldFish), Tanzania's fish consumption rate is not driven by consumer preferences, with an estimated demand gap of approximately 300,000 tonnes. This indicates a significant unmet demand.
The fisheries sector is a vital part of Tanzania's economy, directly providing jobs for around 200,000 people and indirectly supporting about 4.5 million people, or 35% of rural employment. The sector contributes approximately 1.75% to Tanzania’s gross domestic product (GDP).