Key products in global markets: Leading African countries in fish exports

Several African countries are known for exporting fish, and are even gaining considerable fame in this field, despite the challenges they face.

As part of these efforts, these countries seek to enhance their competitiveness in global fishing markets, taking advantage of several strong commercial advantages to export marine products that are in high demand in several markets.

This comes as part of its efforts to strengthen its export capabilities towards regional and international markets.

There are four African countries that are distinguished by a high competitiveness index for marine products: Mozambique, Tanzania, Egypt, and Morocco.

Prominence in crustaceans

Mozambique is one of the leading African countries in exporting fish due to its long coastline, which extends for more than 2,470 kilometers, and the richness of its waters, which provides an ideal environment for fishing, making it occupy an advanced continental position in this sector.

One of Tanzania’s most prominent export products is crustaceans, which represent the main pillar of the country’s exports, making it first in Africa in the competitiveness index (RCA) for lobsters and crustaceans.

It also specializes in exporting processed fish, especially to countries such as Malawi, Liberia and Mauritania. It is also famous for its shrimp, which is the most important and valuable product in the seafood export basket.

Meanwhile, the value of fish and seafood exports to Mozambique in 2025 reached approximately $47 million, registering a decline of 20% compared to 2024.

Profitable fish waste

Tanzania is one of the leading African countries in this sector, particularly in exporting freshwater fish from Lake Victoria.

Tanzania’s fish exports are experiencing remarkable growth, reaching a value of approximately US$289.6 million in 2024, with expectations of exceeding the US$300 million mark in 2025. As for its ranking.

Tanzania is known for exporting “lucrative fish waste” (such as heads and tails) with a competitive advantage index (RCA) of 229, which is among the highest on the continent.

Tanzania is also the leading supplier of Nile perch fillets to the European Union, with a market share of 47.5%.

Switzerland, the United States, the European Union, and China are among the main markets for Tanzanian products.

Diverse markets and leading products

Egypt ranked second globally in tilapia exports for 2024 with a market share of 20%.

It also recorded a strong return to the European market with the opening of 19 companies exporting marine fish to EU countries in 2025

Egypt is distinguished by its export of fresh or chilled tilapia, which reached 17,000 tons with an export value of $9.4 million in 2024.

Among the popular species that Egypt exports are sea bream and sea bass, especially to (Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France) and Jordan.

As for crustaceans, lobsters are exported to the United States, East Asian countries, and some European countries.

This huge and diverse production has made Egypt the tenth largest fish producer in the world with 2.7 million tons annually, and the third largest exporter in Africa after Mozambique and Tanzania.

Promising field

Speaking of Morocco, it is among the continent's top fish exporters, with a production of about 1.42 million tons in 2024.

This result placed it 13th globally in terms of production and fourth in Africa in marine exports, according to UNCTAD.

Morocco is famous for exporting canned sardines, as it is the largest exporter of canned sardines in the world, exporting more than 152,000 tons in 2022 worth 6 billion dirhams.

Likewise, frozen fish, which recorded an annual growth of 1.3% in the Middle East and North Africa region, ranked third regionally in exports of frozen fish fillets for 2024.

There is also mackerel, which is consolidating its leadership in exporting within the African continent, with exports reaching about 7,200 tons in 2024 with a value exceeding 41 million dirhams.