Page 49 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

UAE

emperor, tilapia, and pomfret have the UAE fisheries and aquaculture
gained considerable traction in the market, with robust growth project-
local market, reflecting the evolv- ed for the period 2024-2029. This
ing consumer preferences and the growth is primarily driven by in-
growing sophistication of the UAE’s creasing investments in shrimp fish
seafood market. farming infrastructure and the adop-
Growing Health Consciousness tion of advanced aquaculture tech-
and Dietary Shifts nologies. The UAE government’s
The UAE’s fisheries and aquacul- initiatives to promote sustainable
ture market is experiencing signifi- aquaculture practices have par-
cant growth driven by increasing The role of fish farming and ma- ticularly benefited shrimp farming,
health consciousness among con- rine biotechnology in supporting with several new farms being estab-
sumers and a notable shift towards this growth cannot be overstated, as lished across the emirates. The seg-
healthier dietary choices. The rising these sectors provide innovative so- ment’s growth is further supported
awareness about the health benefits lutions for sustainable aquaculture by rising consumer demand for pre-
practices and enhance the quality
of fish and seafood products, partic- of seafood production in the region. mium seafood products and the ex-
ularly their rich content of omega-3 The integration of marine farming panding hospitality sector. Modern
fatty acids, high-quality proteins, techniques further complements farming techniques and improved
and essential nutrients, has led to these efforts, ensuring the availabil- disease management practices have
their increased incorporation into ity of diverse and high-quality sea- significantly enhanced production
daily diets. This trend is particularly food products to meet the evolving efficiency, while the development
evident among the urban popula- consumer demands. of value-added shrimp products has
tion, where consumers are actively opened new market opportunities.
seeking out organic and premium Pelagic Fish Segment in UAE Fish- Remaining Segments in UAE
seafood products, including organic eries and Aquaculture Market Fisheries and Aquaculture Market
salmon and other high-value spe- The pelagic fish segment domi- The other segments in the UAE
cies, demonstrating a growing pref- nates the UAE fisheries and aquacul- fisheries and aquaculture market in-
erence for quality and nutritional ture market, accounting for approxi- clude demersal fish (grouper, trev-
value over price considerations. mately 65% of the total market share ally, emperor, pomfret), freshwa-
in 2024. This segment includes pop-
The shift in dietary patterns is ter fish (tilapia), scallop, lobsters,
further reinforced by the increas- ular species like sardines, macker- caviar, and salmon, each contrib-
ing adoption of Mediterranean and el, tuna, and barracuda, which are uting significantly to the market’s
Asian cuisines in the UAE, where widely consumed across the coun- diversity. The demersal fish seg-
seafood plays a prominent role. This try. The segment’s dominance can ment maintains a strong presence
cultural diversification in food pref- be attributed to the high nutritional due to traditional fishing practices
erences has led to a broader accep- value of pelagic fish, their wide- and local consumption patterns.
tance of various seafood species and spread availability in UAE waters, The caviar segment represents the
preparation methods, expanding and strong consumer preference, premium end of the market, while
the market beyond traditional local particularly for species like tuna and salmon has gained popularity due
preferences. The trend is particular- mackerel. The UAE government’s fo- to increasing health consciousness
ly strong among the younger demo- cus on sustainable fishing practices among consumers. Freshwater fish
graphic and expatriate population, and the implementation of advanced farming, particularly tilapia, has
who are more experimental with aquaculture technology have further shown promise in addressing food
their food choices and increasingly strengthened this segment’s posi- security concerns. The scallop and
conscious about sustainable and tion in the market. Additionally, the lobster segments cater primarily to
healthy eating habits. This dietary establishment of modern processing the luxury dining sector, while each
transformation is also supported by facilities and cold chain infrastruc- segment benefits from the UAE’s ad-
the growing number of specialized ture has improved the distribution vanced maritime infrastructure and
and availability of pelagic fish prod-
seafood restaurants and retail out- strategic location for seafood trade.
lets that offer a wide variety of fresh ucts throughout the emirates. The integration of precision aqua-
and processed seafood products, Shrimp Segment in UAE Fisheries culture and integrated aquaculture
making these healthy protein op- and Aquaculture Market practices further enhances the ef-
tions more accessible to consumers The shrimp segment is emerging ficiency and sustainability of these
across different income segments. as the fastest-growing category in segments.
Arab Agriculture 2025 47