Namibia’s fish and aquatic product exports increased by 12.2% year-on-year to N$4.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up from N$4.1 billion during the same period last year.
According to the Namibia Agriculture and Fishing Indicators Statistical Bulletin for the second quarter of 2026, export earnings also increased by 5.6% from a revised N$4.4 billion recorded in the first quarter.
The sector recorded a trade surplus of about N$4.4 billion during the quarter, with fish imports valued at N$189.2 million.
The import bill increased by 22.1% from N$155 million in the second quarter of 2025, but remained significantly below export earnings.
“Export earnings for ‘Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates’ for the second quarter of 2026 was valued at N$4.6 billion, an increase of 12.2 percent compared to N$4.1 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025,” the report said.
The increase in export earnings came despite total fish landings declining by 1.1% year-on-year to 101,546 tonnes, from 102,658 tonnes in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Landings, however, increased by 4.1% from a revised 97,558 tonnes recorded in the first quarter of 2026.
Horse mackerel accounted for the largest share of landings at 61,221 tonnes, representing 60.3% of the total, followed by hake at 36,633 tonnes, or 36.1%.
Monk landings stood at 2,411 tonnes, followed by crab at 1,004 tonnes, tuna at 268 tonnes and Cape rock lobster at nine tonnes.
The composition of landings shifted significantly compared with the second quarter of 2025, with horse mackerel increasing from 46,837 tonnes to 61,221 tonnes, while hake declined from 52,898 tonnes to 36,633 tonnes.
Spain remained Namibia’s largest fish export market during the quarter, accounting for 27.8% of total fish exports, mainly frozen hake fillets.
Zambia accounted for 23.8% of exports, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo at 11.3%, with frozen jack and horse mackerel the main products exported to both markets.
“The main export destination for ‘Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates’ for the quarter under review was Spain, accounting for 27.8 percent of total fish exports. The main product that was exported to Spain was frozen fillets of hake,” the report said.
On the import side, South Africa was Namibia’s largest source of fish products, accounting for 46.3% of imports, mainly hake. Poland accounted for 19% and Chile 8.3%.
