Broadly stable
Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita moved from 9.83 Kilogram in 2015 to 9.82 Kilogram in 2023 (−0.1%), an average of −0% a year. The series high was 9.93 Kilogram in 2021 and the low 9.51 Kilogram in 2018.
What Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita shows
Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita was 9.82 Kilogram in 2023, down 0.6% on 2022. Africa fish and seafood production per Capita from 2015 to 2023 highlights the region’s fisheries resources, seafood availability trends, and the importance of aquatic products within the food and beverages sector. With extensive coastlines along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, major inland water systems, and growing aquaculture activities, Africa has significant potential for fish and seafood production.
A 4.2% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2018) is 0.414 Kilogram. The sharpest single-year move was +3.2% in 2021.
Nigeria leads the region
Within Africa, Nigeria has the highest value in 2023 at 6.90 Kilogram.
Country ranking
Fish & Seafood Production per Capita by country, 2023
Kilogram. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Kilogram↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 6.90 | −2.1% | |
| 2 | South Africa | 5.59 | −1.2% |
By region
Fish & Seafood Production per Capita by region
Kilogram, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Kilogram.
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| Year | Kilogram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9.82 | −0.6% |
| 2022 | 9.88 | −0.5% |
| 2021Peak | 9.93 | +3.2% |
| 2020 | 9.62 | −0.7% |
| 2019 | 9.69 | +1.8% |
| 2018 Trough | 9.51 | −2.4% |
| 2017 | 9.75 | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 9.59 | −2.4% |
| 2015 | 9.83 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Fish & Seafood Production per Capita — Fish and seafood availability per capita refers to the estimated amount of fish and seafood available for consumption by an average person in a country during a year, measured in kilograms per person per year. The indicator represents food availability based on national food supply calculations, including domestic production, imports, exports, and changes in stocks. In Our World in Data, this metric is presented as a country-level time series, allowing comparison of fish and seafood availability trends across different years. The data is measured in kilograms per person per year and reflects the quantity of fish and seafood available within the food system rather than actual individual consumption.
The data includes fish and seafood products available for human consumption, covering a broad range of aquatic food categories such as marine fish, freshwater fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other seafood products. The indicator incorporates supply-side factors including domestic fisheries production, aquaculture output, imports, exports, and stock adjustments to estimate annual food availability. The dataset is compiled from international food balance statistics and provides country-wise estimates for the selected time period. Values are calculated on a per capita basis by dividing total available fish and seafood supply by the population of each country.
The data does not represent actual individual consumption, dietary intake, or household-level seafood purchasing behavior. It does not measure nutritional quality, protein content, food waste, or differences in consumption patterns among population groups. The indicator excludes non-food uses of fish and seafood products, such as industrial applications, animal feed, and other commercial uses. It also does not directly measure fisheries sustainability, environmental impacts, or the economic value of the seafood industry. Differences may occur due to variations in statistical reporting methods, population estimates, trade data accuracy, and food supply accounting systems used across countries.
About this indicator
Fish & Seafood Production per Capita — Fish and seafood availability per capita refers to the estimated amount of fish and seafood available for consumption by an average person in a country during a year, measured in kilograms per person per year. The indicator represents food availability based on national food supply calculations, including domestic production, imports, exports, and changes in stocks. In Our World in Data, this metric is presented as a country-level time series, allowing comparison of fish and seafood availability trends across different years. The data is measured in kilograms per person per year and reflects the quantity of fish and seafood available within the food system rather than actual individual consumption.
Fish and seafood availability remained relatively stable during the period, decreasing slightly from 9.83 kilograms per person in 2015 to 9.82 kilograms in 2023, despite variations among individual countries.
Between 2015 and 2018, Africa experienced minor fluctuations in fish and seafood availability, moving from 9.83 kilograms to 9.51 kilograms per capita. The region’s seafood supply was influenced by differences in fisheries capacity, aquaculture development, production efficiency, and seafood trade activities. Countries such as Nigeria and South Africa represent important contributors to regional seafood availability, supported by marine fisheries, inland fishing, and aquaculture production.
From 2019 to 2023, regional fish and seafood availability showed moderate changes while maintaining overall stability. Availability increased slightly to 9.69 kilograms in 2019 before declining to 9.62 kilograms in 2020. The region recorded improvement in 2021, reaching 9.93 kilograms per person, followed by a slight decrease to 9.88 kilograms in 2022 and 9.82 kilograms in 2023. These fluctuations reflect changes in fisheries production, supply chain conditions, consumer demand, and market dynamics.
Africa’s fish and seafood industry includes marine capture fisheries, inland fisheries, aquaculture farming, seafood processing, and distribution networks. Key seafood products include tilapia, catfish, shrimp, sardines, tuna, and other marine species. The sector supports food security, employment, coastal livelihoods, and economic development across many African countries.
Overall, the 2015–2023 trend indicates stable fish and seafood availability across Africa with limited annual fluctuations. Expanding sustainable aquaculture, improving fisheries management, investing in modern production technologies, and strengthening seafood supply chains will be important for enhancing regional seafood availability and supporting long-term industry growth.
- Indicator
- Fish & Seafood Production per Capita
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Kilogram
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Retail & Consumer
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita?
Fish and seafood availability per capita refers to the estimated amount of fish and seafood available for consumption by an average person in a country during a year, measured in kilograms per person per year. The indicator represents food availability based on national food supply calculations, including domestic production, imports, exports, and changes in stocks. In Our World in Data, this metric is presented as a country-level time series, allowing comparison of fish and seafood availability trends across different years. The data is measured in kilograms per person per year and reflects the quantity of fish and seafood available within the food system rather than actual individual consumption.
What was Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita in 2023?
Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita was 9.82 Kilogram in 2023, down 0.6% on 2022.
How has Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita changed between 2015 and 2023?
Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita moved from 9.83 Kilogram in 2015 to 9.82 Kilogram in 2023 (−0.1%), an average of −0% a year. The series high was 9.93 Kilogram in 2021 and the low 9.51 Kilogram in 2018.
Which year had the highest and lowest Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita?
The highest value was 9.93 Kilogram in 2021 and the lowest was 9.51 Kilogram in 2018.
What does the Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes fish and seafood products available for human consumption, covering a broad range of aquatic food categories such as marine fish, freshwater fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other seafood products. The indicator incorporates supply-side factors including domestic fisheries production, aquaculture output, imports, exports, and stock adjustments to estimate annual food availability. The dataset is compiled from international food balance statistics and provides country-wise estimates for the selected time period. Values are calculated on a per capita basis by dividing total available fish and seafood supply by the population of each country. Excluded: The data does not represent actual individual consumption, dietary intake, or household-level seafood purchasing behavior. It does not measure nutritional quality, protein content, food waste, or differences in consumption patterns among population groups. The indicator excludes non-food uses of fish and seafood products, such as industrial applications, animal feed, and other commercial uses. It also does not directly measure fisheries sustainability, environmental impacts, or the economic value of the seafood industry. Differences may occur due to variations in statistical reporting methods, population estimates, trade data accuracy, and food supply accounting systems used across countries.
Where does the Africa Fish & Seafood Production per Capita data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&time=2015..2023&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls&Food=Fish+and+seafood&Metric=Food+available+for+consumption&Per+capita=true&Unit=Kilograms+per+year). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Kilogram.
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