Tanzania's fisheries sector grew 6.3% in 2025, with the value of fish products produced rising to TZS 4.56 trillion, according to Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries data reported by TanzaniaInvest.

The sector's contribution to gross domestic product reached 2.20% in 2025, up from 1.70% in 2018. Output value increased 4.59% from TZS 4.36 trillion in 2024 and was 157.63% above the TZS 1.77 trillion recorded in 2018. The rebound in sector growth was also notable: fisheries expanded 6.30% in 2025 after growth of 1.40% in 2024.

The production picture was more mixed. Fish production from natural water bodies slipped to 519,454 tonnes in 2025, down 0.64% from 522,788 tonnes in 2024. Registered fish landing sites were unchanged at 1,176, still below the 1,356 recorded in 2018. Domestic demand strengthened, with per capita fish consumption rising to 10.20 kilograms per year in 2025 from 7.80 kilograms in 2024, the highest level reported since 2018.

Exports moved in the opposite direction. Total fish product exports fell to 45,053 tonnes in 2025 from 59,746 tonnes in 2024, a 24.59% decline. Export value dropped 14.15% to TZS 649 billion from TZS 756 billion. Nile perch exports fell to 14,754 tonnes from 22,488 tonnes, while exports from Lake Victoria declined to 31,935 tonnes from 35,919 tonnes.

For businesses in the fisheries value chain, the data points to a sector with stronger domestic economic weight but weaker export performance. Rising consumption supports local distribution, retail and processing demand, but lower export tonnage and value show the pressure on external channels.

The import figure adds another signal. Fish imports rose to 10,359 tonnes in 2025 from six tonnes in 2024, according to the same report. That scale of increase suggests supply and market-structure questions for processors and traders, especially if domestic consumption continues to rise while export volumes remain below the previous year.