South Africa’s favourite fish – and it’s not pilchards

Data from Statistics South Africa show that hake dominates sales of caught fish in the country, accounting for 0.8% of total household spending on food.

In the latest edition of Statistics South Africa’s Stats Biz publication, the organisation revealed that hake generated over a quarter of total sales of caught fish in 2023.

This was followed by squid, lobster, tuna and anchovy, with tuna and squid sales having grown significantly over the past decade.

Since 2014, hake has dominated total sales of caught fish in South Africa, constituting 26.9% of total sales in 2023.

“South African hake is widely distributed as a food source,” Stats SA said. “The fish accounts for 0.8% of total household spending on food, according to the consumer inflation basket.” 

“This is higher than other food items such as beef steak, sausages and meat patties.”

The data further showed that although hake lost some market share between 2014 and 2023, it doubled the value of income it generated, from R0.7 billion to R1.4 billion.

While the most popular in terms of sales, hake is not the most caught fish in South Africa. Stats SA explained that catch volumes are measured in terms of mass or generated income.

While hake dominates generated income, anchovies are the leader in terms of mass, with catch volumes reaching 152,431 metric tons in 2023. 

“These slender fish are best known globally for their salty taste and are incorporated into a variety of meals and sauces,” the organisation said. 

“In South Africa, caught anchovies are used for fishmeal and oil rather than for human consumption.”

While not in the top spot, hake was the second most caught fish, followed by sardines in third place.

Unlike anchovies, South African hake is widely distributed as a food source, which is why the fish accounts for 0.8% of total household spending on food.

The infographics below, courtesy of Stats SA, show the most caught fish in South Africa and the caught fish that generated the most income.

Fishing for growth

Stats SA further pointed out the vital contribution caught fish make to South Africa’s ocean fishing industry.

Processed fish is the largest source of income for this industry, followed by caught fish, which generated R5.4 billion in 2023.

In total, the industry generated R19.9 billion in 2023, making it the smallest of 16 industries surveyed by Stats SA.

“To provide some context, manufacturing – the biggest of the 16 – is 132 times larger if income is used as a measure,” the organisation explained.

However, despite its small size, the ocean fisheries and related services industry is a vital source of food in South Africa and a crucial player in the country’s economy. 

It employs just over 16,000 individuals and contributes to the economic well-being of fishing communities. 

Tinned fish, particularly pilchards, is also a highly popular item in South Africans’ grocery baskets. The product is always included in the Competition Commission’s Essential Food Pricing Monitoring (EFPM) report.

The latest report, for March 2025, showed that, in the six preceding months, the producer-to-retail spread of canned pilchards has been on a downward trend, going from 19% to 17%. 

The Competition Commission explained that this continued the trend of low and falling spreads for this important product. 

The decrease is the result of a decrease in retail prices from R27.81 to R27.46 between August

to December 2024, along with an increase in producer prices from R22.54 to R22.84. 

“We highlighted the restraint shown by producers and retailers in their pricing behaviour for this product in previous editions of the EFPM report. It is encouraging that it has continued,” the commission said.