WALVIS BAY – The total landings of quota species for the second quarter of 2023 have declined by 25%, the Namibia Statistics Agency revealed.

According to the statistical bulletin for the second quarter of 2023 that was released by the NSA, the total landings declined by 24.7%, as 81 469 metric tonnes were landed during the quarter, compared to the 108 179MT that was recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022.  

The statistics further indicate there is an overall decline recorded in all fish species, except for monk, which recorded an increase of 15%. 

Topping the landing chart is horse mackerel, which registered 44 548MT, followed by hake with 33 816MT, with monk in third place, recording 1 825MT.  

During the same quarter under review, N$4.1 billion worth of fish and fish products were exported in juxtaposition to N$3.2 billion that was recorded in the second quarter of 2022. 

“These products were mainly destined for the European market, with Spain accounting for a share of 36.6%. Mainly frozen filleted hake was exported to Spain, followed by 15.4% of horse mackerel that was exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as 14.3% of horse mackerel to Zambia,” the NSA bulletin stated.

In terms of imports, it further states that fish and related imports declined from N$274 million during the last quarter of 2022 to N$173 million during the second quarter of 2023.

These products were mainly imported from Falkland Islands, accounting for 65.8% (mainly frozen cutlet fish and squid), followed by 20.2% from South Africa and 4.5% (mainly sardines) from Spain.

“A surplus for products of fish, amounting to N$4 billion, was recorded during the period under review, an improvement when compared to N$2.9 billion recorded in the parallel quarter,” NSA stated.

-  edeklerk@nepc.com.na