Context
Fresh premium seafood has long been the best pathway to a viable consumer. That remains true for premium SA wildcatch species (e.g., rock lobster, prawn, abalone) that are, and will continue to be, prosperous. But processing and value adding have never been more critical to attract retail consumers than they are today. Modern seafood consumers (retail, food service, or online) are informed and agile, and increasingly choosing retail offers that are consumer meals ready-to-eat. Fishers, farmers, and chain partners must engage in this reality if they are to remain competitive and viable.

 

The rising frequency of product recalls by SA seafood manufacturers prompted this review. A Preferred Investment Pathway offers direction to resolve gaps by 2030.
Globally and nationally, aquaculture is the largest seafood supplier, setting baseline prices for retail and online product formats. Its easy access, scalable supply, chain efficiency, and species control over yield and product format, can more easily attract investment. SA aquafarms and a few wildcatch fisheries (e.g., Jackets, Pipi) are approaching economic scale in supply and along integrated supply chains. Both are seeking to integrate or access technology and capability to value-add to tight national retail and food service client specifications. Efficient market-focused seafood value adding will build SA’s capability and retain investment and employment, particularly in regional communities.

 

Consultation
This review consulted widely (fishers, farmers, processors, value adders, investors, regulators) regarding processing and value adding capacity and capability that exists and is required to ensure SA’s successful market focused value adding by 2030. Unsurprisingly capacity gaps already exist and will grow (without clear heads) as supply increases 25,000 tonnes (32%) by 2030. Eighteen core issues and risks are identified.

Human capacity (skills, collaboration, leadership), Technology transfer (NPD, batch trials), and Markets (intelligence, unique selling points) are the most critical and challenging. Most new investment is by industry’s private account, but indirectly coinvestment by government will enable and leverage community outcomes.