# SA helps feed China’s huge desert fish-farming boom, and the sea is paying the crippling price

> South Africa’s seafood exports to China surge as Xinjiang’s desert fish farms face sustainability challenges.
- Title: SA helps feed China’s huge desert fish-farming boom, and the…
- Summary: South Africa’s seafood exports to China surge as Xinjiang’s desert fish farms face sustainability challenges. South Africa imported $30 million worth of…
- Keywords: south africa, china, xinjiang, desert fish farming, aquaculture, fishmeal, seahawks, nfl, news, politics, helps, feed
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-09-sa-helps-feed-chinas-huge-desert-fish-farming-boom
- Author: Ian Urbina
- Published: 2026-10-09T17:06:27+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: south africa, china, xinjiang, desert fish farming, aquaculture, fishmeal, seahawks, nfl, news, politics
## China’s Xinjiang desert fish farms
China began raising fish in Xinjiang’s Taklamakan Desert in 2023, producing 280 tonnes of seafood annually.
## Xinjiang’s harsh environment
Xinjiang receives barely six inches of rain yearly across 600,000 square miles, with the Taklamakan Desert covering much of the region.
## Desert fish farming boom
Over 1,000 fish farms now operate in Xinjiang, producing 200,000 tonnes of seafood annually, including salmon and shrimp.
## South Africa’s seafood trade
South Africa imported more than $30 million worth of seafood from China in 2025, highlighting the trade relationship.
## Xinjiang’s aquaculture challenges
China’s fish farms rely on fishmeal, which accounts for up to 70% of operating costs and is sourced from wild fish stocks.
## Feed dependency
Over 40% of the world’s fishmeal is imported by China, with projections rising to 55% by 2032 due to overfishing.
## Environmental impact
Fishmeal production causes water pollution and stench, affecting communities and ecosystems globally.
## Xinjiang’s fish farming model
Xinjiang Tianyun Organic Agriculture operates 6,000 tonnes of fish annually, with 40% of China’s domestically produced salmon.
## Local economic impact
Tianyun provides interest-free loans to villagers, with annual cash payments and dividends for over 2.5 million people.
## Sustainability concerns
China’s aquaculture industry faces challenges in feed sourcing, environmental impact, and labor practices.
## Global fishmeal trade
China imports over 40% of the world’s fishmeal, with projections rising to 55% by 2032 due to overfishing.
## Xinjiang’s tourism growth
Xinjiang has developed fish-farming theme parks and restaurants serving seafood to tourists.
## Government claims
State media describes Xinjiang’s aquaculture as a testament to human ingenuity and resilience in harsh environments.
## Forced labor allegations
The Outlaw Ocean Project reported that Chinese companies forced thousands of Xinjiang workers into seafood processing plants.
## Sustainability challenges
China’s aquaculture industry faces sustainability challenges in feed sourcing, environmental impact, and labor practices.
## What happens next
China aims to increase fishmeal self-sufficiency by 2032, but faces significant environmental and economic hurdles.
## Key takeaway

South Africa imported $30 million worth of seafood from China in 2025, while Xinjiang’s desert fish farms struggle with feed dependency and environmental costs.