The historic port city of Berbera, located along Somaliland’s Gulf of Aden coastline, is rapidly cementing its status as a regional seafood hub, driven by a surge in demand from neighboring Ethiopia. Renowned for its rich tuna stocks, Berbera is emerging as a key player in the supply of seafood to both regional and international markets.
Leading this growth is Somtuna Fishing Company, a subsidiary of the Dahabshil Group. Established by seasoned Somali entrepreneurs with strong ties to global markets, Somtuna specializes in canned tuna production, fish processing, and seafood exports. The company operates a modern processing facility in Berbera, built to meet international food safety standards and designed to ensure premium quality throughout the production chain.
The facility has also become a vital source of employment, offering hundreds of job opportunities to local youth and supporting a wide network of fishermen, transporters, and logistics providers, thus stimulating the local economy.
Recent reports of Berbera Tuna Fish products appearing on supermarket shelves across Ethiopia highlight Somaliland’s growing role as a seafood supplier to its landlocked neighbor. The increased presence of Berbera’s canned tuna in Ethiopian markets reflects strengthening trade ties between the two economies, with Ethiopian consumers increasingly turning to Somaliland for quality seafood.
Ethiopia, home to over 120 million people, is experiencing a rising demand for seafood as more consumers shift towards protein-rich diets. This growing appetite presents significant opportunities for Somaliland’s fishing sector. Somtuna is strategically positioned to meet this demand, supplying fresh and processed fish to Ethiopian households, restaurants, and hotels.
Berbera’s geographical proximity to Ethiopia, combined with efficient logistics and favorable trade agreements, makes it an ideal export hub. As global fish consumption continues to grow, Somaliland’s fishing industry is expected to expand further, fueled by investment in sustainable fishing, advanced technologies, and international partnerships.
With Somtuna and other companies leading the charge, Somaliland is not only catering to Ethiopia’s rising seafood demand but also positioning itself as a competitive player in the global seafood market.