When it comes to protein, South Africans have made their favourites known — from chicken on the braai to a hearty beef stew, we know what we like. But in the middle of all this meaty love, are we overlooking one of the most nutritious and sustainable proteins right on our doorstep?
📊 What’s on Our Plate?
Here’s how the average South African’s annual protein intake breaks down (2021 estimates):
Poultry: 44.3 kg
Beef: 17.0 kg
Pork: 4.5 kg
Seafood: 6.45 kg
Despite being bordered by two rich, bountiful oceans, South Africa consumes just 6.45 kg of fish per person per year — less than a third of the global average of 20 kg.
Now compare that with Europe, where fish isn’t just a meal — it’s part of the culture:
🇪🇺 Country Fish Consumption (kg/person/year)
Portugal 53.6 kg
Spain 39.8 kg
France 32.7 kg
Finland 31.7 kg
Italy 29.3 kg
Incredibly, Portugal consumes more than 8 times the amount of fish South Africa does!
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🌊 Surrounded by Ocean. Starved of Seafood?
This isn’t about guilt-tripping anyone — it’s about opportunity. Fish is one of the most complete and beneficial proteins you can eat:
✅ High in omega-3s (good for your heart, brain, and mood)
✅ Low in saturated fat and calories
✅ Rich in vitamins D, B12, iodine, and selenium
✅ Easy to digest and anti-inflammatory
✅ Naturally wild, organic, and unprocessed when fresh
Add to that the fact that we’re home to some of the cleanest fishing waters on Earth, and the case for eating local fish becomes even stronger.
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🐟 Time to Rethink What’s for Dinner
We have world-class fish right here — caught sustainably, responsibly, and delivered fresh. And yet, many of us still reach for frozen chicken from abroad.
Let’s change that.
For our health.
For our economy.
For a truly South African plate.
It’s time we made fish the hero it deserves to be.