The challenges holding SA aquaculture back

Despite growing demand for freshwater fish and a global aquaculture boom, South Africa’s tilapia industry remains underdeveloped due to high costs, outdated policies, and regulatory challenges. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to an aquaculture farmer and an expert in the field to gauge the industry‘s potential.

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South Africa’s tilapia aquaculture industry holds immense potential, but remains significantly underdeveloped due to policy and regulatory barriers.

Industry experts believe structured investment and legislative reform could transform the industry into a major contributor to food security and economic growth.

Current annual tilapia production in South Africa is between 200t and 400t, while demand is around 1 500t. This presents potential farmers with an enormous opportunity. The expansion of tilapia farming can also create numerous direct and indirect jobs across the value chain, from hatcheries to processing and marketing.

Valdi Pereira, a tilapia farmer and member of the Tilapia Aquaculture Association of South Africa, says the tilapia industry in South Africa is hugely underdeveloped.

However, the significant untapped opportunities need to be tackled in a structured and forward-thinking approach, he says.

“Factors playing a role in the growth of the industry are consumers looking for healthier protein alternatives, availability of fresh fish (freshwater fish can be made available as an option directly to inland markets, outcompeting marine products), and the offering of freshwater species by many leading local retailers,” says Pereira.

David Fincham, director at David Fincham Aquaculture, adds that the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) remains underdeveloped largely because of government's policies and legislation, which were written 20 years ago. He says the industry has held numerous meetings, workshops, and public forum discussions with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), but little has changed.

“Tilapia and catfish both have huge potential in the local, regional, and export markets. Aquaculture has become the world’s fastest-growing protein production industry. Tilapia production, trade, and consumption rank in the top five species of this industry.”