Senegal records fourth year of falling fish exports in 2024

SENEGAL – Senegal is experiencing a steady decline in its fish exports for the fourth year running, with 2024 figures showing another drop in both volume and earnings.

Data from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) published on July 22 indicates that the country exported 210,371 tonnes of fresh fish in 2024.

This figure reflects an 11.7% decrease from the 238,307 tonnes shipped in 2023 and continues a downward trend that began after the sector peaked at 309,381 tonnes in 2020.

Since then, total volumes exported have fallen by 32%, raising concerns for one of Senegal’s key industries.

Revenue from fish exports has also dipped, with the sector generating around US$329.1 million (183.5 billion CFA francs) in 2024.

That marks a 4.4% drop from 2023 and a 13% slide from 2022 when earnings reached a record US$379 million (211.3 billion CFA francs).

A significant portion of Senegal’s exports heads to regional markets, but even these routes are showing weakness.

Shipments to Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, which together account for over 40% of the industry’s export value, have declined by 13% and 16%, respectively.

Despite the shrinking market, Côte d’Ivoire remains the leading buyer of Senegalese fish, taking 33.8% of exports by value in 2024.

Spain follows with 11.2%, then Guinea at 8.5%, France at 8.3%, and South Korea at 4.8%, according to the ANSD.

New efforts to revive the fishing sector

In response to the continuing slump, Senegal signed a cooperation agreement with Guinea on July 18 to improve fish marketing channels between the two countries.

At the same time, the government is focusing on upgrading artisanal fishing, which is responsible for 80% of annual fish landings.

Between May and July 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries began constructing modern fishing quays in Joal-Fadiouth and Cap Skirring.

These projects, estimated at nearly US$12 million, aim to improve infrastructure and unlock more value from local catches.

Currently, fish ranks as the country’s fifth-largest export after petroleum products, gold, crude oil, and phosphoric acid.

However, with continued declines in both volume and revenue, the sector’s future contribution to export earnings is increasingly uncertain.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.