The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) says the country’s fish export earnings dropped by 7.5% to N$3.8 billion in the second quarter of 2024, from N$4.1 billion in the same period last year.
According to the NSA’s Agriculture and Fishing Bulletin, fish imports rose 18.9% to N$206.1 million, up from N$173.3 million in 2023.
“The fish products export earnings for the quarter under review amounted to N$3.8 billion. This represents a decrease of 7.5 % compared to the N$4.1 billion recorded in the second quarter of 2023. The import bill for fish products during the period under review stood at N$206.1 million, an increase of 18.9 % compared to N$173.3 million recorded in the same quarter of 2023,” said NSA Statistician General & CEO Alex Shimuafeni.
This comes as the total quota species during the second quarter of 2024 amounted to 101 173 metric tons, an increase of 4.4% when compared to 96 909 metric tons recorded in the second quarter of 2023.
“Horse mackerel recorded the highest landings of 61,459 metric tons, followed by Hake (35 772 metric tons), and Monk (2,406 metric tonnes),” he said.
Spain was the main export destination for fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates for the quarter under review, accounting for 34.9% of exports.
“The main product that was exported to Spain was frozen fillets of Hake. The second and third export destinations were Zambia (19.4%) and Italy (7.4%). The main product that was exported to Zambia was Horse mackerel. In addition, frozen fillets of Hake were exported to Italy,” noted the report.
NSA noted that products of fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates were mainly sourced from the Falkland Islands accounting for 45.9% share for the quarter under review. The main products imported from Falkland Island were Cuttlefish and Squid.
“In second place, South Africa accounted for 33.3% share. The main product that was sourced from South Africa was Hake. Spain is in third place accounting for a 6.7% share of imports. Cuttlefish and Squid was the main product imported from Spain,” said NSA.
