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We were appointed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat to profile the value chains and potential for value chain development of eight aquaculture species clusters in the SADC Region: the Tilapia Cluster, the Salmonid Cluster, the Abalone Cluster, the Crustacean Cluster, the Marine Bivalve Cluster, the Marine Finfish Cluster, the Seaweed Cluster, and the Pearl Oyster Cluster.
A detailed assessment of local, regional, and international markets and market trends, marketing infrastructure, production volumes, product forms, value addition, price, quality, target consumers, barriers to entry, market share, bargaining power, and policy and regulation was conducted. Data for value chain mapping and evaluation were collected through comprehensive stakeholder engagements, interviews and questionnaires.
Using these data, we mapped each value chain using a) a Geospatial Flow Value Chain Map, which provided an overview of product movement amongst value chain actors and to markets, and b) a Mass Flow Value Chain Map, that illustrated the flow of product along the value chain with indications of mass and price at critical intervals. The value chain maps were used to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for value chain enhancement. Finally, a Priority Action Roadmap for aquaculture in the SADC Region was developed with key marketing, governance, human capital, research and development (R&D), and funding and investment interventions for sustainably expanding and/or enhancing regional aquaculture production and establishing robust value chains. The Roadmap has been adopted by the SADC Secretariat and is a key component of their aquaculture growth strategy.