SOUTH AFRICA – A German trade delegation arrived in South Africa’s Eastern Cape last week to assess seafood farms for readiness to export to the European Union and to identify support for smaller producers to meet international standards.
The delegation included Linda Lubengu, Trade Promotion Specialist from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), alongside Lea Reinhardt and Udo Censkowsky from the German Import Promotion Desk, and visited two seafood operations in the OR Tambo District Municipality on Wednesday.
Their first stop was Phumalali Seafoods in Mtakatyi, about 75 km from Mthatha, a rock lobster farm working with local communities in Mamolweni, Hluleka, and Mngcibe, followed by Rakaseed in Port St. John’s, which collaborates with seven primary fishing cooperatives in Tsweleni.
On Friday, the delegation visited two producers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, including Lepad Fishing South Africa’s processing facility in Deal Party and Rial Fishing Company in Walmer, which is expanding its facilities to increase output for export.
The visit aimed to evaluate the companies’ compliance with European standards and to facilitate connections with potential buyers, as part of a program led by the German Import Promotion Desk and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The Import Promotion Desk has supported small and medium enterprises for 14 years, helping companies access European markets through capacity-building, sustainability alignment, and targeted matchmaking across six sectors, including fresh produce and natural ingredients for food and cosmetics.
Lubengu said the Eastern Cape’s seafood industry benefits from abundant marine resources, skilled processors, and a value chain capable of supporting sustainable exports to Europe.
Trevor Page, Operations Director at Phumalali Seafoods, noted that obtaining multi-species permits from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is crucial for sustainable harvesting, job creation, and expanding community investment, projected at US$155,000 in 2026.
Duncan Sejoeseng, Director of Rakaseed, emphasized that the initiative extends beyond commercial gains, adding that certifications will enable the cooperatives to meet European standards while improving economic conditions for local fishing communities.
To support the seven cooperatives, the ECDC provided a total of US$155,000 through the Imvaba Cooperatives Fund, with each receiving US$22,000 for infrastructure, operational costs, and permit acquisition to maintain live lobsters before transport.
Reinhardt said collaboration with the ECDC has helped create a reliable pipeline of South African seafood exporters, with six companies currently participating in the program, including Wild Coast Abalone in the Eastern Cape.
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Francis Watari
www.foodbusinessmea.com