Tanzania’s livestock and fisheries sectors have demonstrated growing export competitiveness, with fisheries exports alone reaching 37,988.30 tonnes valued at TSh 493,159,932,259.50 by April 2026. Combined with livestock exports, the sectors are emerging as significant foreign exchange earners whilst creating employment in production, processing, and logistics.

Export Performance Overview

The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has prioritised export market development as a strategy for sectoral growth and foreign exchange generation. Export orientation encourages quality improvement, value addition, and competitive pricing whilst exposing Tanzanian producers to international best practices.

Fisheries Export Achievement

By April 2026, Tanzania had exported 37,988.30 tonnes of fish and fisheries products valued at TSh 493,159,932,259.50. These exports generated profit of TSh 13,422,684,227.38 for exporting companies whilst contributing to government revenue through export royalties and related fees.

The export volume represents substantial activity in marine and inland fisheries, with products destined for diverse international markets spanning Europe, Middle East, Asia, and regional African countries.

Ornamental Fish Trade

Tanzania’s ornamental fish exports reached 209,772 fish worth TSh 2,456,123,765.43 by April 2026. This specialised trade capitalises on Tanzania’s unique endemic fish species, particularly cichlids from Lakes Tanganyika and Malawi/Nyasa prized by aquarium enthusiasts worldwide.

Ornamental fish command premium prices due to their rarity, colouration, and breeding challenges. Sustainable collection practices ensure that trade doesn’t deplete wild populations whilst providing income for specialist collectors in remote lakeside communities.

Major Export Commodities

Tanzania’s fisheries exports encompass diverse products serving different market segments:

Nile Perch Products (Lake Victoria)

Nile perch from Lake Victoria represents Tanzania’s flagship fisheries export. The large predatory fish yields:

Frozen Fillets: Primary export product meeting European Union quality standards. Fillets are processed in certified facilities around Lake Victoria, frozen, and shipped to European markets.

Fish Maws: Swim bladders dried and exported to Asian markets, particularly China, where they command high prices for use in traditional cuisine and medicine.

Fish Oil: Extracted from processing waste and exported for use in aquaculture feeds and pharmaceutical applications.

Fish Meal: Protein-rich powder from processing waste used in animal and aquaculture feeds.

Nile perch exports face competition from other Lake Victoria riparian states (Kenya and Uganda) whilst contending with sustainability concerns about the species’ impact on native fish populations.

Dagaa (Small Pelagic Fish)

Dried and smoked dagaa (sardines) from Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika serve regional African markets. The small fish are:

– Sun-dried on racks at landing sites

– Smoked for flavour and preservation

– Packaged for transport to inland markets

– Valued for affordability and nutritional density

Dagaa exports target countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, and Burundi, where they provide affordable protein to low-income consumers.

Prawns and Shrimp

Marine prawns harvested along Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast are exported to:

– Middle Eastern markets (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait)

– Asian markets (Japan, South Korea, Thailand)

– European markets (Spain, Italy, France)

Prawn exports require strict cold chain management and quality certification to meet international food safety standards.

Tuna and Large Pelagic Fish

Industrial fishing in Tanzania’s Exclusive Economic Zone produces tuna and similar large fish for:

– Canning and processing in coastal facilities

– Export to processing facilities in other countries

– Direct export of frozen whole fish

Development of port infrastructure including the planned Bagamoyo fishing port will expand capacity for deep-sea fishing and export of large pelagic species.

Octopus, Squid, and Cuttlefish

Cephalopod species harvested from coral reef and seagrass ecosystems serve:

– European markets for fresh and frozen octopus

– Asian markets for dried products

– Tourist resort markets domestically

Sustainable management of cephalopod fisheries requires seasonal closures allowing population recovery and preventing overexploitation.

Livestock Export Markets

Live animal exports complement fisheries trade, particularly serving regional East African markets:

Cattle Exports

Tanzania exports cattle to:

Kenya: The largest market for Tanzanian cattle, particularly animals from northern pastoral regions transported across the Kenya border. Demand comes from Kenya’s deficit in beef production relative to consumption.

Uganda: Growing market for breeding stock and slaughter cattle, particularly from northwestern Tanzania pastoral areas.

Rwanda and Burundi: Smaller but significant markets for live cattle and beef products.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Emerging market accessible from western Tanzania regions.

Cattle exports generated revenue from export fees exceeding targets by 133%, indicating robust demand and improving documentation systems.

Small Ruminant Exports

Goats and sheep are exported to similar regional markets, with particular demand during religious festivals when meat consumption peaks. Small ruminants travel more easily than cattle and suit smallholder producers lacking resources for large-scale cattle operations.

Export Certification Requirements

Live animal exports require health certification verifying:

– Freedom from scheduled diseases (FMD, CBPP, PPR)

– Vaccination history against priority diseases

– Individual animal identification

– Origin from disease-free zones

– Fitness for transport

The Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA) provides certification services enabling exports whilst protecting importing countries from disease introduction.

Export Market Access

Accessing international markets requires compliance with stringent quality, safety, and sustainability standards:

European Union Market

The EU represents Tanzania’s most demanding but lucrative export market. Requirements include:

Approved Establishments: Fish processing facilities must be approved by competent authorities meeting EU hygiene standards. Tanzania maintains list of EU-approved fish processors operating under strict oversight.

HACCP Certification: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point systems must be implemented and documented throughout processing. Regular audits verify compliance.

Traceability: Complete records of fish origin, processing steps, and distribution must be maintained enabling product tracking and recall if needed.

Microbiological Standards: Product testing for bacterial contamination including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli must meet EU limits.

Chemical Residues: Testing for veterinary drugs, pesticides, heavy metals, and environmental contaminants must demonstrate compliance with maximum residue limits.

Sustainability Certification: Growing demand for certified sustainable fisheries meeting Marine Stewardship Council or similar standards.

Tanzania has successfully maintained EU market access for Nile perch and other fisheries products through investments in quality systems and regulatory oversight.

Middle East Markets

Middle Eastern countries provide important markets for Tanzanian fish and livestock products with requirements including:

Halal Certification: Meat and fish products must be certified as Halal-compliant through approved certification bodies. Processing facilities require Halal certification and Muslim supervisors.

Health Certificates: Veterinary health certificates verifying disease-free status and meeting importing country requirements.

Quality Standards: Products must meet Gulf Cooperation Council standards for food safety and quality.

Middle East markets offer premium prices but require careful attention to religious and cultural requirements alongside technical quality standards.

Asian Markets

Asian countries, particularly China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, import:

High-Value Products: Fish maws, sea cucumbers, shark fins (where legal), and other premium seafood products commanding extraordinary prices.

Processed Products: Frozen fish fillets, canned products, dried fish, and fish meal for aquaculture.

Ornamental Fish: Live tropical fish for aquarium trade.

Bulk Commodities: Fishmeal and fish oil for aquaculture and livestock feeds.

Asian markets often have less stringent technical requirements than Europe but may demand specific product forms, sizes, or processing methods unfamiliar to Tanzanian exporters.

Regional African Markets

Neighbouring African countries provide accessible markets for:

Live Animals: Cattle, goats, and sheep for immediate slaughter or breeding.

Dried and Smoked Fish: Affordable protein products for low-income consumers.

Fresh and Frozen Fish: Supplying consumption markets in landlocked countries.

Processed Meat: Enabling regional trade in value-added products.

Regional markets offer advantages of proximity, cultural familiarity, and less demanding technical requirements, though lower prices compared to intercontinental exports.

Export Support Services

The Ministry provides various services supporting export development:

Quality Certification

TVLA laboratories provide testing and certification for:

– Microbiological quality

– Chemical residue analysis

– Species identification and authentication

– Product composition verification

– Export health certificates

Certification services enable exporters to demonstrate compliance with importing country requirements.

Market Information

The Ministry disseminates information on:

– Export market prices and trends

– Import requirements for different countries

– Buyer contacts and trade opportunities

– Shipping and logistics options

– Trade agreements and tariff preferences

Market information helps producers and exporters identify opportunities and comply with requirements.

Trade Facilitation

Government efforts to streamline export procedures include:

– Online permit and certificate applications

– Coordination between agencies (Fisheries, Veterinary, Customs, Revenue Authority)

– Dedicated export processing desks at ports

– Reduction of documentation requirements

– Electronic systems replacing paper processes

Trade facilitation reduces costs and delays enabling exporters to compete effectively.

Capacity Building

Training programmes for exporters cover:

– Quality management systems (HACCP, ISO)

– Export documentation and procedures

– Market requirements and standards

– Value addition for premium markets

– Packaging and branding

Trained exporters better navigate complex international trade requirements.

Export Promotion Strategies

The Ministry pursues several strategies to expand exports:

Product Diversification

Moving beyond traditional exports (Nile perch, live cattle) to:

– New fish species with export potential

– Processed meat products meeting international standards

– Leather and hides from livestock

– Value-added dairy products

– Aquaculture products (farmed tilapia, catfish)

Diversification reduces dependence on single products whilst exploiting Tanzania’s resource diversity.

Value Addition

Processing exports creates more value than raw product exports:

– Filleted and portioned fish versus whole frozen fish

– Smoked and flavoured products versus plain dried fish

– Canned and packaged products versus bulk commodities

– Branded products versus generic exports

Value addition generates employment whilst capturing more export revenue domestically.

Quality Upgrading

Investments in:

– Modern processing equipment

– Cold chain infrastructure

– Laboratory capacity for quality testing

– Staff training in quality systems

– Certification to international standards

Quality improvements enable access to premium markets paying higher prices.

Market Diversification

Reducing dependence on traditional markets by developing:

– New geographic markets (China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Gulf countries)

– New market segments (organic, sustainable, fair trade certified products)

– Direct buyer relationships bypassing intermediaries

– E-commerce platforms for smaller exporters

Market diversification reduces vulnerability to changes in any single destination.

Sustainability Certification

Pursuing certification as:

– Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries

– Organic certified aquaculture operations

– Fair trade certified production systems

– Sustainably sourced livestock products

Sustainability certification commands premium prices whilst ensuring long-term resource availability.

Export Challenges

Tanzania’s livestock and fisheries exports face several constraints:

Infrastructure Deficits

Limited cold chain infrastructure causes quality deterioration and limits access to high-value markets requiring frozen products. The planned Bagamoyo port and ongoing investment in fish markets and cold storage will address these gaps.

Inconsistent Supply

Seasonal variation in fish catches and livestock availability creates supply inconsistency challenging export relationships. Aquaculture expansion and improved livestock management can provide more stable supply.

Compliance Capacity

Meeting technical requirements of demanding export markets requires:

– Laboratory testing capacity

– Trained quality assurance personnel

– Investment in processing upgrades

– Traceability systems

– Continuous compliance monitoring

Small-scale exporters particularly struggle with compliance costs.

Competition

Tanzania faces competition from:

– Other Lake Victoria states (Kenya, Uganda) for Nile perch exports

– Asian countries for fisheries products

– Regional neighbours for livestock exports

– Global suppliers in all markets

Competitiveness requires continuous improvement in quality, reliability, and cost management.

Trade Barriers

Non-tariff barriers including:

– Changing sanitary and phytosanitary requirements

– Onerous certification procedures

– Disputes over sustainability practices

– Political tensions affecting trade flows

Government-to-government negotiations and trade agreements help address barriers.

Future Export Development Priorities

The 2026/2027 budget supports export growth through:

– Completion of Bagamoyo fishing port for deep-sea fishing

– Slaughterhouse upgrades achieving export certification

– Laboratory capacity expansion for export certification

– Training programmes for exporters and processors

– Trade missions to target markets

– Participation in international trade fairs

– Development of export quality standards

– Branding initiatives for Tanzanian products

Economic Impact of Exports

Export development generates multiple benefits:

Foreign Exchange Earnings

Fish and livestock exports contribute to foreign exchange reserves supporting:

– Import capacity for essential goods

– Macroeconomic stability

– Currency strength

Employment Creation

Export-oriented production and processing create jobs in:

– Fishing and aquaculture operations

– Processing facilities

– Logistics and freight forwarding

– Quality control and certification

– Marketing and sales

Technology Transfer

Export markets demand international standards driving:

– Adoption of modern processing technologies

– Implementation of quality management systems

– Investment in infrastructure and equipment

– Skills development for workforce

Sectoral Growth

Export opportunities incentivise:

– Increased production to meet demand

– Investment in productive capacity

– Quality improvement for market access

– Innovation in products and processes

Conclusion

Tanzania’s livestock and fisheries exports represent significant economic opportunity. With fisheries exports alone reaching TSh 493 billion and livestock exports showing strong growth, the sectors are establishing themselves as foreign exchange earners.

Realising full export potential requires continued investment in quality systems, processing infrastructure, cold chain, and market development. The Ministry’s strategic focus on export market access, quality certification, and value addition creates foundation for sustainable export growth.

As regional integration deepens through the East African Community and continental free trade under AfCFTA, opportunities will expand for Tanzanian livestock and fisheries products. Coupled with growing global demand for protein and sustainable African exports, Tanzania’s sectors are well-positioned for export-led growth benefiting producers, processors, and the broader economy.

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