Kenya’s fish export earnings drop to Sh5.97bn in first decline in four years
This decline, amounting to Sh805.29 million, was the first significant drop since 2020 when earnings fell by Sh681.61 million.
Kenya's fish export earnings dropped to Sh5.97 billion in 2024, marking the first decline in four years. This is due to challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing and pollution.
Data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) shows that the value of fish exports fell by 12.07 per cent from Sh6.67 billion in 2023.
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This decline, amounting to Sh805.29 million, was the first significant drop since 2020 when earnings fell by Sh681.61 million.
The Covid-19 pandemic that year had disrupted global supply chains, leading to a sharp 20 per cent decline in fish exports to Sh2.73 billion.
Despite the setback in 2020, the industry rebounded in 2021 with a 25.1 per cent growth, pushing export earnings to Sh3.41 billion.
The recovery was attributed to the reopening of global markets, particularly in Europe and Asia where demand for Kenyan fish remained strong.
A breakthrough came in 2022 when exports surged to Sh5.59 billion, a 64.02 per cent increase.
Rising demand
This was driven by rising demand, a stable international trade environment, and improved local production. The upward trend continued in 2023, with earnings growing by 19.27 per cent to reach Sh6.67 billion.
However, in 2024, the industry faced fresh challenges, including declining fish stocks, environmental issues and rising operational costs.
Lake Victoria, the country’s primary source of fish, has seen a steady decline in production, forcing Kenya to increase fish imports to meet growing demand.
Kenya’s share of fish production from Lake Victoria dropped to 70,300 tonnes in 2023 from 86,400 tonnes in 2022, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
The country currently faces an annual fish deficit of 365,000 tonnes against a demand of 500,000 tonnes.
Dr Christopher Aura, Director of Freshwater Systems at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, emphasised the importance of breeding zones in restoring fish stocks.
"These breeding grounds are vital in freshwater ecosystems. Lately, the sites are under immense threat, resulting in conflicts between conservation, management, and exploitation," he said.
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