Maputo, March 31, 2026 (Lusa) - International market restrictions slowed Mozambique's fish exports in 2025, which fell 18% from the previous year to just over 8,000 tonnes, government data show.
Budget execution data show that this drop "resulted from restrictions on live lobster entering Asian markets", specifically China. "Difficulties selling shrimp, fish and cephalopods (marine animals including octopus and squid) in traditional markets" also contributed to the decline.
The document noted "climate change effects led to low water levels in the Zambezi River and, consequently, low production of kapenta" (a small freshwater sardine found in lakes and rivers).
Export value in 2025 totalled $46.5 million (€40.5 million), down 20% compared to 2024.
Shrimp exports alone earned Mozambique $16.3 million (€14.2 million) last year, a 17% annual drop, totalling over 1,600 tonnes. Lobster fell 19% to 160 tonnes, generating $2.5 million (€2.2 million).
The government expects fishing activity to stagnate in 2026, with catches growing a marginal 0.3% to around 550,000 tonnes, led by the artisanal sector.
Artisanal fishing – small-scale traditional fishing – will continue to lead but drop 0.2% to just under 513,000 tonnes. This follows 7% growth in 2025 to around 514,000 tonnes, which includes around 9,600 tonnes of shark.
The government expects artisanal lobster catches to increase 2% to around 800 tonnes in 2026, with crab rising to over 8,700 tonnes and fish reaching 440,000 tonnes.
Artisanal shark catches should also grow 2% to 9,800 tonnes in 2026.
Industrial fishing is expected to grow 15% compared to 2025 to around 17,700 tonnes. This includes just under 3,200 tonnes of shrimp, up 8%, and 280 tonnes of lobster, a 5% annual increase.
The government expects no changes in semi-industrial fishing (mid-sized commercial vessels operating near the coast), maintaining the 2025 target of 8,250 tonnes. Aquaculture production should grow 3% to over 10,600 tonnes.
Mozambique's fishing production grew 3% in 2024 to around 509,000 tonnes but missed the target, budget execution data previously reported by Lusa showed.
PVJ/LYT // AYLS
Lusa
