Page 10 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Editorial

GCC Fisheries and Aquaculture Market Analysis

The Analysis Of The Fisheries And Aquaculture Sector In Dhafra Region, the initiative will spearhead scientific studies
The GCC Region Market size is estimated at USD 1.55 billion on local fish species and floating aquaculture cage systems.
in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 2.20 billion by 2030, at Additionally, it aims to establish environmental protocols for
a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period (2025-2030). sustainable sea-based aquaculture in Abu Dhabi. Beyond eas-
The drivers identified in the market are a rapid rise in the ing the burden on wild fisheries and tackling climate change
population, an increase in affluent households, a focus on challenges, the project bolsters food security amidst rising
diversification, and changing diet preferences. As seafood seafood demand and paves the way for future sector invest-
continues to be a preferred healthy choice at events and res- ments.
taurants, the fisheries market in Saudi Arabia is poised for GCC Fisheries and Aquaculture Market Trends
growth in the coming years. According to the Ministry of Envi-
ronment, Water, and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia’s seafood and Governments in the Gulf region have crafted policies and
fisheries consumption is projected to rise at an annual rate of created favorable investment conditions to elevate fish farm-
7.4% through 2030. ing in the area. Key drivers for the region’s aquaculture sector
development include a heavy reliance on imports, the need
The cuisine of GCC nations boasts a rich tradition of sea- to conserve limited freshwater resources, and the potential
food dishes, deeply rooted in the region’s coastal heritage. for export surpluses.
Traditional recipes and delicacies prominently feature fish,
shrimp, and other seafood. The seafood market is shaped by The Saudi Ministry is pivotal in expanding the aquaculture
religious practices, notably the Islamic dietary laws (Halal). sector, aiming to meet domestic needs and generate export
GCC countries procure seafood from a diverse array of sup- surpluses. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s aquaculture production hit
pliers, spanning neighboring nations to distant sources like 140,000 metric tons, increased from 110,000 from 2022, with
India, Oman, China, and various European countries. Com- aspirations to exceed 600,000 metric tons by 2030. Given
mon imports include shrimp, fish fillets, crab, lobster, and oth- these ambitions and supportive government policies, the
er premium species. Data from ITC Tradmap reveals that in aquaculture industry is poised for growth during the forecast
2022, the GCC region’s imports included fresh fish exceeding period.
USD 532 million and frozen fish surpassing USD 265 million. Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has been
heavily investing in the aquaculture sector’s growth. In Au-
In response to shifting local fish consumption patterns and
rising demand, the GCC aquaculture sector has witnessed a gust 2024, the Omani government unveiled a USD 115 mil-
surge in local infrastructure projects, bolstered by public sup- lion investment plan, introducing 24 new opportunities. These
port. Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency (EAD) has unveiled opportunities span the establishment, management, and
its inaugural sea-cage aquaculture initiative, harnessing ar- operation of fish markets, collection centers, shops, marine
tificial intelligence (AI) tools. Targeting an annual yield of workshops, and cold storage facilities across various gov-
100 metric tons, the project seeks to alleviate the strain on ernorates. In another move, Fisheries Development Oman
wild fisheries. Situated southeast of Delma Island in the Al (FDO), the fisheries investment arm of the state-owned Oman
Investment Authority (OIA), inked an advisory contract in

8 Arab Agriculture 2025