Page 36 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Oman

Oman Aquaculture Market Analysis

The Oman Fisheries And Aquacul- Map report, Oman’s fresh fish import
ture Market size is estimated at USD was 93.1 thousand tons in 2020, which
676.26 million in 2025, and is expected increased to 97.3 thousand tons in
to reach USD 913.56 million by 2030, 2023. Hence, the increasing import of
at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast fresh fish is contributing to the growth
period (2025-2030). of the market.
• The aquaculture industry is the Freshwater Fish Is the Significant
most important and oldest in Oman. Segment by Type
The Sultanate of Oman has identified Freshwater fish are the most popu-
aquaculture as a key pillar of diversi- lar fish in the country. Freshwater fish
fying its national economy. The overall include scallops, Shrimp, Lobsters,
vision of the Ministry of Agriculture & increased the demand for quality food Caviar, and Other Types. Shrimp is
Fisheries is to develop a sustainable, products. The population of the coun- one of the most popular fish species in
competitive, and environment-friend- try has also risen gradually. Accord- the country, but it has been pushed to
ly aquaculture sector that meets the ing to the World Bank, the population the brink of extinction, which makes
needs of customers frºom high-quality in the country was 4,576.3 million in its procurement through aquaculture
aqua products. Currently, the Ministry even more important. For instance,
for Agriculture and Fisheries focuses 2022. This rose to 4,644.4 million by according to the FDO (Fisheries De-
on increasing aquaculture production 2023, placing a critical need on the velopment Oman) report, farmed
to 2,20,000 metric tons, with a value of sustainable and efficient management shrimp harvests more than doubled
USD 883 million by 2030. Oman’s envi- of marine resources and fish stock. to 2,673 metric tons in 2023, up from
ronmental advantage provides a high The population growth and consump- 1,076 metric tons in 2022. In addition,
potential for aquaculture develop- tion rates are anticipated to be the in 2023, Fisheries Development Oman
ment, and the government is strongly major factors driving the aquaculture launched a shrimp farm project. The
committed to developing this sector sector in the countråy. farm includes a hatchery, a post-larval
competitively and sustainably in har- The rise in affluence in the country production unit, a nursery unit, and
mony with the country’s social, eco- is likely to increase the consumption 126 grow-out ponds with a production
nomic, cultural, and historical values. of fisheries supporting good amounts
of antioxidants and good cholesterol. capacity of 3,700 metric tons.
• Besides, Oman is one of the larg-
The consumption of freshwater fish
est fish producers in the Middle East Oman, the young population largely is high in Oman due to the nearby ma-
prefers a low-fat protein diet good for
region and a net exporter of fish and skin and physical building, further rine line. Fishing is the country’s main
fish products. According to the Minis- driving the demand. For instance, fish economic activity due to the country’s
try of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Wa- consumption per capita reached 31.4 greatest freshwater biodiversity. The
ter Resources, farmed fish production kg in 2021 in Oman, which was 0.512% country also ranks among the top four
surged to 4,767 metric tons in 2023 more than in the previous year. Also,
from 3,179 metric tons in 2022. Fur- in Oman, private wealth is controlled in the Middle East region for fish con-
ther, Oman-origin fish products, in- by prosperous individuals, increasing sumption. Furthermore, it is a major
cluding fresh, chilled fish, frozen fish, the market portion for good quality source of nutrition for the people in
value-added fish products, fish meal, fisheries products. Thus, it is antici- the country. In addition, the per capita
and fish oil, are exported to 40 coun- pated that the highest increase in de- fish consumption in Oman is the high-
tries, including Europe, the United mand will be in the fisheries sector. est in the world. For instance, accord-
States, and the Far East, besides the ing to the Fisheries Development of
Middle East regularly, and is a major Further, fish imports are high in Oman, the per capita consumption
contributor to Oman’s national econo- Oman due to the high per capita con- of fish is 27 kg, whereas it is 17 kg all
my. Hence, the production and export sumption of fish in Oman. The imports over the world. This shows a high per
of the aquaculture sector in the coun- of fish are rising every year with the capita fish consumption in the coun-
try are increasing. consumption pattern changes and try compared to the world per capita
shift of people towards more protein- consumption. Therefore, the nearby
Oman Aquaculture Market Trends
rich sources like fish. Furthermore, coastal line of Oman increased the
Rising Demand for Fish the country imports most fish from activity of freshwater fish, raising the
Oman’s growing population, thriv- countries like Türkiye, Cyprus, Nor- availability and consumption of fish,
ing economy, and profile as one of way, Sri Lanka, and Greece. For in- which is anticipated to boost the mar-
the popular tourist destinations have stance, according to the ITC Trade ket over the coming years.
34 Arab Agriculture 2025