The central province Tete in Mozambique will export kapenta, a fish also known as the Tanganyika sardine, to China in 2019, a provincial director said here on Monday.

Tete's provincial director of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MAP) Fatima Cinco-reis told reporters that Chinese businessmen showed interest in commercializing the kapenta fish and tilapia, which are caught in the local waters of Tete.

"With the purchase of these types of fish, the government will earn a lot, because businessmen will pay taxes and local fishermen will also receive money to support their families," said the director.

At present, kapenta fish and tilapia are exported to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Congo.

The MAP director said the government is pleased with Chinese business leaders' intention of exporting kapenta to Asia, but admitted that it is still too early to tell how the trade volume would be.

"It will be for the first time that the province of Tete exports kapenta and tilapia fish to the Asian market," she said.