In 2023, the demersal fish production in South Africa stood at 166.64 Thousand Metric Tons. From 2014 to 2023, the sector has demonstrated a downward trend, with fluctuations influenced by various external factors such as environmental conditions and regulatory changes. Year-on-year, there was a slight decline of 0.38% in 2023, continuing from the previous year's decrease. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for the last 5 years from 2018 to 2023 was -0.37%, reflecting a consistent but moderate decline in production volume.
Over the longer period, from 2014 to 2023, demersal fish production has also seen a gradual decrease, emphasized by significant drops in certain years, such as 2020 where there was a significant 17.33% reduction. Nonetheless, there were years like 2021 which showed a notable recovery with a 14% increase. The forecast for the next five years from 2024 to 2028 projects a continued slight decline with a CAGR of -0.31%.
**Future Trends to Watch For:**
- Impact of climate change on fish habitats and population dynamics.
- Regulatory changes or conservation efforts aimed at sustainable fishing practices.
- Technological advancements in fishing techniques and processing that could affect productivity.
- Fluctuations in global fish market demand influencing local production strategies.
