SanLei is World’s First BAP-Certified Producer in Southern Africa

SanLei, which produces trout in the Kingdom of Lesotho, has achieved Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification, the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced in June.

Sanlei’s farm and hatchery are the first in Lesotho to attain BAP certification, as well as the first farm and hatchery in Southern Africa to earn the distinction. They currently are also the only BAP-certified farm and hatchery in all of Africa. The company has been farming and exporting rainbow trout for the South African and Japanese markets since 2018 and the United States since 2021. Its products include frozen fillets, portions and head-on and head-off products.

“I am immensely proud of the SanLei team for achieving Best Aquaculture Practices certification for our premium products grown in the Kingdom of Lesotho,” said Krijn Resoort, CEO of SanLei. “SanLei is proof that you can be a niche global trout producer but still operate under BAP certification.”

“I commend SanLei for being a leader in the aquaculture space in Lesotho and attaining BAP certification for both their farm and hatchery,” said Iain Shone, Director of Market Development Europe at GSA. “This demonstrates their commitment to producing top quality trout products in a responsible and ethical manner.”

Sanlei’s certification was sponsored by the UK’s Trade Forward Southern Africa (TFSA) programme and the project was executed by Imani Development, an economic development consultancy firm with a strong aquaculture portfolio and offices throughout Southern Africa. The purpose of TFSA is to support and enhance trade across SACU and Mozambique and with a focus on interventions that grow firm’s export markets.

About Best Aquaculture Practices

Best Aquaculture Practices is a third-party certification program developed by the Global Seafood Alliance, an international, nonprofit trade association headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA, dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices and Best Seafood Practices certification standards, GSA has become the leading standards-setting organization for seafood. To learn more, visit www.bapcertification.org.

About Imani Development

Imani Development is a private economic development consultancy firm that facilitates the process of economic growth and poverty reduction in the developing world, with a particular focus on East and Southern Africa. For 40 years the company has been providing a range of specialised services for private-sector firms, governments, policymakers, development agencies, regional and international organisations. Key service areas include private sector development, trade and regional integration, and economic development.

Source article: Global Seafood Alliance.