Premier Fishing Group is embarking on an ambitious acquisition drive aimed at accelerating its growth, consolidating its position as one of South Africa’s leading fishing companies, and building a vertically integrated African fishing and aquaculture champion.
Backing the initiative, the Sekunjalo Group plans to deploy approximately R250 million per transaction over the next 18 months. This strategy is supported by up to R1 billion in capital made available to fund strategic acquisitions across the largest sectors of the fishing industry.
The acquisition strategy is positioned as a long-term growth and value-creation initiative designed to strengthen the sustainability of the local industry, protect and grow jobs, and facilitate broader black participation.
Expanding Scale, Capabilities, and African Reach
Premier Fishing Group is targeting complementary businesses and assets to build scale, improve market access, and enhance operational efficiencies. Key target areas include:
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Key Assets: Fishing rights, catching and processing capacity, logistics capabilities, aquaculture operations, and export platforms.
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Core Sectors: South Coast rock lobster, West Coast rock lobster, pelagic species, and hake.
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Regional Expansion: Opportunities across the African continent, with a focus on established and growing markets such as Morocco and Namibia.
Sekunjalo Group is supporting management’s strategy to consolidate strategically aligned, black-owned fishing entities in South Africa while simultaneously expanding into key African markets.
Established Track Record and Industry Scale
Established in 1952, Premier Fishing and Brands has developed into one of South Africa’s largest 100% black-owned and managed fishing companies. The company operates independently within the fishing and aquaculture sector and has no corporate affiliation with Premier Foods.
The Group currently holds medium- to long-term rights across a portfolio including rock lobster, small pelagic species, hake, and squid, while also operating an abalone farming business and investing in organic agriculture.
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South Coast Rock Lobster: Premier is one of the largest rights holders, holding a 35.5% Total Allowable Catch (TAC) allocation.
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West Coast Rock Lobster: Operates significant catching, processing, and international marketing capabilities.
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Pelagic Sector: Ranks as the third-largest rights holder, with exposure to anchovy and pilchards through a processing and marketing partnership with Pioneer Fishing.
As a major exporter, Premier connects South African production with international markets. The company is also a large-scale employer in coastal communities, supporting tens of thousands of dependents through its broader value chain.
Driving Transformation and Job Creation
Having already invested hundreds of millions of rand into advanced aquaculture and infrastructure, Premier aims to use this foundation to improve supply-chain resilience and create economies of scale.
A central pillar of the acquisition programme is engaging with black-owned businesses and strategic partners to increase black ownership, shareholding, and leadership within the industry.
The Group’s ultimate ambition is to establish Premier Fishing Group as the largest fishing company in South Africa and a nationally and regionally competitive African champion, creating sustainable value while expanding employment opportunities.
Investors and strategic partners interested in participating in the group’s growth strategy have been invited to contact Arthur Johnson or Shaun Naidoo from the Sekunjalo Group Corporate Finance Department.
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