Demand from EU highlights gap in Eastern Cape seafood industry

– ADVERTISEMENT –

The delegation comprised Linda Lubengu, trade promotion specialist at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), and Lea Reinhardt, exports sourcing and market specialist, and Udo Censkowsky, consultant, from the Import Promotion Desk in Bonn, Germany. In mid-February, they visited two seafood farms in the OR Tambo District Municipality, one in Mtakatyi and the other in Port St Johns.

The Eastern Cape leg of the visit concluded with visits to Letishing South Africa in Deal Party and the Rial Fishing Company in Walmer in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, where export capacity and processing upgrades were assessed.

Compliance gaps are a major hurdle

Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Lubengu said access to the EU market hinges on strict adherence to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards and formalised quality systems.

“To access the EU market, producers must meet strict EU SPS standards, including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points [HACCP], and traceability from catch or harvest through to processing and packaging.

“Many [small, medium, and micro enterprises] in the Eastern Cape lack a formalised quality assurance system that is fully aligned with EU requirements,” she explained.

She added that processing capacity constraints further complicate export ambitions.

“Processing capacity to handle peak volumes while preserving quality is also a challenge. Producers often cite delays in certification approval, unclear guidance on export protocols, and limited support to navigate EU regulatory frameworks.”

Lubengu said these gaps are not insurmountable but require coordinated technical and regulatory support.

“The ECDC provides a range of hands-on, practical interventions to help emerging producers bridge technical, regulatory, and market-readiness gaps, particularly for high-bar exports. This support goes well beyond financial assistance,” she explained.

According to her, export readiness training is central to this approach: “The ECDC regularly organises training sessions, masterclasses, and workshops in collaboration with programmes such as the EU-Southern African Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement support programme; the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition German Manager Programme, and the Swiss Import Promotion Programme.

“These sessions focus on EU regulatory requirements, including SPS standards, quality and safety compliance, documentation, certification, and export procedures.”

Lubengu confirmed that a dedicated EU-focused masterclass is scheduled for 18 March. “This masterclass aims to provide an update on regulatory requirements and enhance the capacity of producers interested in accessing the EU market. It will equip producers with the knowledge and tools to understand and implement EU requirements before they export.”

The ECDC’s Route to Market Access Fund also assists with certification and compliance costs.

“While funding may be part of certification processes, the ECDC helps producers identify which international product certifications are needed, links them to certifying bodies or technical partners, and guides them on documentation and compliance requirements,” she explained.

Infrastructure revival in port ST Johns

Duncan Sejoeseng, managing director of Rekaseed a seafood enterprise, told Farmer’s Weekly that compliance certification is the immediate priority for Port St Johns fishing co-operatives seeking access to the EU market.

“Most crucial are HACCP and National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications certifications, which we are currently working on, along with the process of applying for an export permit,” he said.

He added that infrastructure investment from ECDC are already beginning to shift the trajectory for seven local fishing co-operatives.

“Port St Johns has a very high unemployment rate, and the fishing co-operatives rely entirely on fishing, with east coast rock lobster as one of their main sources of income,” he said.

He explained that a few years ago, communities were effectively locked out of the market. “Between 2020 and 2023, before Rekaseed came to the area, the communities had not sold their lobster. There was no market, and buyers were unwilling to stay in the area due to infrastructure and market challenges.

“In the past two years, Rekaseed has been focused on reviving the market for east coast rock lobster, and an investment in infrastructure has allowed us to do this efficiently. It provides stability and allows us to supply a high-quality product.”

Beyond commercial returns, Sejoeseng said the social impact has been tangible: “The current [seafood sourcing] project has been effective in increasing employment opportunities in the area. We prioritise locality in employment and provide casual work opportunities for the youth.

“This has enabled more children to attend school who were previously held back by financial restrictions.”

Regulatory misalignment constrains growth

Trevor Page, operations director at Phumalali Seafoods, said regulatory bottlenecks remain a major barrier to sustainable growth on the Wild Coast.

“The approval of multi-species permits by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is critical for the sustainability and growth of small-scale fishing operations on the Wild Coast, because different fishers have different skills and target different species,” he explained.

“Each species requires specific knowledge, techniques, and equipment. If permits are limited to one species, such as lobster, fishers who are skilled in harvesting other species are excluded, limiting their ability to earn a livelihood.”

He also warned of ecological risks: “If fishers are restricted to catching only lobster to meet their quotas, it can lead to overexploitation and threaten the long-term sustainability of that species.

“Multi-species permits allow fishing efforts to be spread across different species, reducing pressure on any one stock and promoting more balanced, sustainable resource use.”

Page said a disconnect between long-term fishing rights and permit issuance has created uncertainty.

“Small-scale fishing co-operatives were granted 15-year multi-species fishing rights; however, the associated permits have not yet been issued over the past two years. This misalignment has created significant operational uncertainty and constrained the co-operatives’ ability to fully participate in the industry,” he explained.