(Juba) – South Sudan is emerging as one of Africa’s fastest-growing exporters of dried or salted fish, amid a steadily expanding market across the continent. A new report by IndexBox forecasts that Africa’s dried or salted fish sector will continue to grow moderately over the next decade, with regional consumption projected to increase by 1.4% annually in volume and 1.8% in value between 2024 and 2035.
The African market is expected to reach a total volume of 446,000 tonnes by 2035, up from 382,000 tonnes in 2024. At the same time, the market’s total value is anticipated to grow from $984 million to $1.2 billion by the end of the forecast period. This growth reflects increased demand across multiple countries, with opportunities for producers and exporters—including those in South Sudan—to expand operations and benefit from rising regional trade.
For eight consecutive years, Africa has recorded an upward trend in the consumption of dried or salted fish. Between 2013 and 2024, the continent saw a stable increase in consumption, averaging 2.3% annually. Consumption levels reached a peak in 2024 and are expected to maintain this upward trend.
Among the top consumers in 2024 were Angola (60,000 tonnes), Nigeria (46,000 tonnes), and Tanzania (27,000 tonnes), together accounting for over a third of the continent’s total consumption. South Sudan is not among the top consumers, but its role in production and export is becoming increasingly prominent.
In terms of value, Nigeria leads the African dried or salted fish market with approximately $249 million, followed by South Africa ($100 million) and Angola. Nigeria also recorded the highest annual growth in market value, at 3.3% since 2013.
Although South Sudan’s domestic consumption remains relatively modest, its export volume has increased significantly in recent years. In 2024, South Sudan exported approximately 7,200 tonnes of dried or salted fish, positioning it among the continent’s top exporters, alongside Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. South Sudan’s growth in this sector has been remarkable, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1,249.6% in export volume from 2013 to 2024.
Despite the high volume of fish exports, the country’s earnings per tonne remain low. South Sudan’s average export price for dried or salted fish was around $315 per tonne in 2024—one of the lowest on the continent. In comparison, Morocco’s average price was $4,300 per tonne, the highest among African exporters.
This price gap indicates a major opportunity for South Sudan to improve earnings by investing in better processing, preservation, and marketing. According to the report, value addition remains a significant area for development, particularly through the use of cold storage facilities and improved transport systems. At present, much of South Sudan’s fish is preserved using traditional methods such as sun-drying and salting, which reduces the quality and market value.
On the import side, Africa recorded a decline in dried or salted fish imports in 2024, falling by 8% to 31,000 tonnes. In value terms, imports dropped to $58 million. Uganda and Rwanda accounted for nearly half of all imports, followed by Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, and Angola.
Uganda and Rwanda’s import figures suggest that the East African region remains a key market for dried or salted fish. This trend benefits South Sudanese exporters, particularly those operating in Central Equatoria State and the Upper Nile region. With proper investment in infrastructure, including processing plants and cold chains, South Sudan could increase its share of regional trade and reduce losses from spoilage.
Production trends also show promise. Although total African production of dried or salted fish declined slightly by 0.1% in 2024 to 384,000 tonnes, the long-term trend remains positive. From 2013 to 2024, Africa’s production increased by an average of 5% annually. Angola, Nigeria, and Tanzania were the largest producers, together accounting for 35% of output.
In value terms, Africa’s total production was estimated at $810 million in 2024. South Sudan’s contribution to this figure is not broken out in detail, but the country’s rising export numbers point to increasing production and economic activity in the sector.
However, challenges remain. Regional trade is often hindered by logistical barriers, including high transport costs, poor road conditions, and multiple security checkpoints. For South Sudan, over 90 checkpoints along key routes from Bor and Terekeka to Juba can drive up fish prices by nearly $10 per consignment, while also causing delays and spoilage.
To support continued growth, the report recommends that African governments—including South Sudan—establish proper regulatory bodies to ensure sanitary and quality standards, streamline customs processes at borders, and invest in sector-specific infrastructure.
With Africa’s dried or salted fish market forecast to surpass $1.2 billion by 2035, South Sudan stands to benefit significantly if it addresses these barriers and seizes the opportunity to build a competitive export industry. Enhanced coordination with East African Community partners could further support efforts to develop a more stable and profitable fisheries sector, bringing new jobs and revenue to the country.
