A promising partnership between Germany and South Africa’s Eastern Cape is taking shape as European buyers set their sights on the province’s untapped seafood export potential. Last week, a German delegation concluded a comprehensive sourcing mission that could open new pathways for local fishing communities to access lucrative European markets.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
The delegation, featuring trade experts Linda Lubengu from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), and Lea Reinhardt and Udo Censkowsky from the German Import Promotion Desk, conducted site visits across the province to evaluate seafood operations’ readiness for European export standards.
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Their weeklong mission included stops at four key operations: Phumalali Seafoods’ rock lobster farming operation in Mtakatyi (75km from Mthatha), Rakaseed’s cooperative network in Port St Johns and two established processors in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro – Letap Fishing South Africa’s state-of-the-art facility in Deal Party and Rial Fishing Company in Walmer.
Community-centred Approach
What sets this initiative apart is its focus on empowering small-scale fishing communities. Phumalali Seafoods has already revitalised operations across coastal communities including Mamolweni, Hluleka and Mngcibe, whereas Rakaseed works directly with seven primary fishing cooperatives in the Tsweleni area.
“The work we have been doing restores dignity and economic agency to local fishing communities,” explains Duncan Sejoeseng, director of Rakaseed. “Completing the seafood value chain is a milestone not only for us as a business but also for the communities we serve.”
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The seven cooperatives have received substantial backing through a R2.8 million incentive from the ECDC-administered Imvaba Co-operative Fund, with each cooperative receiving R400 000. This funding supports critical infrastructure, including a specialised R1.7 million holding facility for live lobsters, as well as operational costs and fishing permit acquisitions.
Success hinges on navigating regulatory requirements. Trevor Page, operations director at Phumalali Seafoods, emphasises that “the approval of multi-species permits by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is critical” for unlocking job creation and sustainable harvesting practices.
European Market Integration
The German Import Promotion Desk, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, has operated for 14 years supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in accessing European markets. The programme spans six priority sectors including seafood, focusing on capacity-building, sustainability alignment and strategic buyer connections.
“We began working with the ECDC shortly after launching our South Africa programme two years ago,” notes Reinhardt. “At present, six South African companies are participating, including Wild Coast Abalone in the Eastern Cape.”
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