Over the past decade, freshwater fish production in South Africa has shown moderate fluctuations and steady growth. Notably, there was a significant dip in 2020 with a year-on-year variation of -16.71%, attributed to presumably external shocks such as economic conditions or environmental factors. However, the market quickly rebounded in 2021 with a 14.86% increase, exhibiting resilience. By 2023, production stood at 2.86 Thousand Metric Tons, marking a stable trend. From 2014 to 2023, there was a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.28%. Forecasts from 2024 onwards suggest continuous, albeit slow, growth, with a forecasted CAGR of 0.27% by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include technological advancements in aquaculture, regulatory changes, and the impact of climate change on freshwater resources. Additionally, market demands and export potentials could significantly influence production dynamics.
