GCC Seafood Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts Up To 2029

The GCC Seafood Market is segmented by Type ( Fish, Shrimp ), by Form ( Fresh / Chilled, Frozen / Canned, Processed ), by Distribution Channel ( Off-Trade, On-Trade ), and by Country ( Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates ).

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GCC Seafood Market Size

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GCC Seafood Market Summary
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Icons Lable Value
svg icon Study Period 2017 - 2029
svg icon Market Size (2024) USD 3.54 Billion
svg icon Market Size (2029) USD 3.84 Billion
svg icon Largest Share by Type Fish
svg icon CAGR (2024 - 2029) 1.63 %
svg icon Largest Share by Country United Arab Emirates
svg icon Market Concentration Low

Major Players

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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in alphabetical order.

Key Players

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GCC Seafood Market Analysis

The GCC Seafood Market size is estimated at 3.54 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 3.84 billion USD by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 1.63% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

3.54 Billion

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

3.84 Billion

Market Size in 2029 (USD)

2.68 %

CAGR (2017-2023)

1.63 %

CAGR (2024-2029)

Largest Segment by Type

72.74 %

value share, Fish, 2023

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The region's demand for fish is fueled by a range of factors, including fish's lower price, greater nutritional value, and ease of availability due to increased production.

Largest Segment by Country

38.60 %

value share, United Arab Emirates, 2023

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UAE dominates the market as there is a growing demand for organic fish, that is being driven by high-income immigrants and buyers who support sustainable seafood.

Fastest-growing Segment by Type

2.59 %

Projected CAGR, Shrimp, 2024-2029

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Regional government adding an effort to increase the local production of shrimps in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and others for makes shrimp a promising market segment.

Fastest-growing Segment by Country

2.44 %

Projected CAGR, Bahrain, 2024-2029

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The surging sales of fish is driving the Bahrain market. Local consumers favor domestic seafood because they believe it is sustainably farmed and of acceptable quality.

Leading Market Player

1.92 %

market share, The Deep Seafood Company, 2022

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The Deep Seafood Company primarily offers a wide range of seafood products to the market with international food safety and quality standards.

Saudi Arabia dominates the regional market with the assistance of strategic investments and partnerships

  • In 2022, fish occupied the largest share among all other seafood variants in the market. The sales value grew at a CAGR of 2.37% over 2017-22. The increasing health consciousness among the population and preference toward a nutrient and protein-rich diet without added cholesterol components is leading consumers to spend more on different varieties of fish like sardines, salmon, and tuna. The region of the GCC, apart from hosting extensive desert lands, comprises miles of coastline that assist in the growth of local fisheries.
  • Shrimp is estimated to be the fastest-growing seafood segment in the Middle East over the forecast period. Most shrimp in the region are imported from Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and China. Shrimps are an ideal choice for consumers opting for a protein-rich weight loss diet. Obesity is a pressing issue in GCC, with Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia having more than 25% of their population identified as obese as of 2023, expanding the opportunity for the shrimp industry to flourish in the region.
  • Saudi Arabia is one of the significant countries in the region, occupying one of the highest shares in the market over the study period. The country launched the National Fisheries Development Program as a part of its Vision 2030 to raise a fund of USD 4 billion in 2022. This fund is expected to increase infrastructure and develop the workforce for inland fisheries cultivation. The United Arab Emirates proposed fuel subsidies to its fishing sector to reduce operating costs in 2022 in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Emirates National Oil Company.
GCC Seafood Market

Increasing private sector investments in seafood production are driving the demand

  • The United Arab Emirates is the leader in the Middle Eastern seafood market. The seafood consumption per person increased, reaching 25.50 kg in 2021, ranking second only to Oman's 29.01 kg. The demand for seafood products is driven by an expanding population with rising income levels and a growing appetite for fish. Nearly 90% of the Emirati population is made up of immigrants, and the typical meals in the region often include seafood products. Indians make up over 40% of the total population in the United Arab Emirates, followed by Indonesians and Bangladeshis.
  • Saudi Arabia intends to produce 300,000 metric tons of fish by 2025 and 600,000 metric tons by 2030. Private sector investments in the pre-harvest, production, and post-harvest segments of the aquaculture sector witnessed a sharp increase as a result of the initiative. Saudi Arabia's partnership with the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia-Pacific (NASA) also aims to increase the nation's seafood production. The higher availability of seafood is expected to increase local demand further.
  • Bahrain is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 5.11% during the forecast period. Fish farming is a crucial sector that the government is relying on to ensure food security, as marine products are a key food item in Bahrain. In 2021, six plots of land were identified as candidates to boost agricultural production and fish farming as part of efforts to ensure the country's food security. The move is expected to achieve 50-62% self-sufficiency in fish. Investing in fish farming has many benefits, such as reducing pressure on natural resources and releasing fish fingerlings raised on the farm into the wild to restock Bahrain’s marine population.

GCC Seafood Market Trends

Self-sufficiency initiatives implemented by governments are anticipated to grow with production

  • Saudi Arabia is the largest fish producer in the Middle East. It produced 37,40,39,539 tons of fish in 2022. Fish production in Saudi Arabia increased by 6.48% from 2016 to 2022. The United Arab Emirates followed Saudi Arabia in production with 24,02,44,330 tons in 2022. Fish production increased gradually from 2021 to 2022 due to the government's focus on fisheries. Governments are boosting opportunities to involve the private sector in fisheries. A unique program, the National Fisheries Development Program, aims to enhance the fisheries sector's contribution to the GDP and increase the productivity of the aquaculture sector to 600,000 tons in stages in 15 years till 2030. Regional centers for fishing academies have also been established to support fisheries. Over USD 80 million was invested in the research activities of fish to enhance production capabilities.
  • Countries like the United Arab Emirates have the highest annual per capita fish consumption in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), 50% higher than the global average. Despite rapid economic growth, the country’s local fisheries are overfished, and local fish account for only 8% of the country’s consumption.
  • Fish production is projected to increase sustainably from 2023 to 2029. Support from the private sector and identification of fisheries for enhanced development, new partnerships with stakeholders and subsidies for fisheries, and the development of 3,000 fisheries with resource persons are anticipated to help increase the production and productivity of fisheries from 2022. For instance, in 2021, NEOM Company and Tabuk Fish Company signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding local aquaculture production and applying the new generation of aquaculture technologies in the NEOM region of Saudi Arabia.
GCC Seafood Market

High dependency on imports raises prices

  • In 2022, the United Arab Emirates had the highest fish prices compared to Saudi Arabia and the Rest of Middle East, with the price difference being around USD 4,022 per ton. The difference was mainly due to more subsidies on fuel, infrastructure, and other associated costs by the Saudi Arabian government. The country has the added advantage of a 2,640 km coastline. The retail price range for fish in the United Arab Emirates in June 2023 was between USD 4 and USD 20 per kilogram or between USD 1.81 and USD 9.07 per pound (lb).
  • The prices in the Middle East increased due to high demand, which exceeded the supply. The local fish supply decreased, and local production was hampered due to unfavorable climatic conditions in 2020 and 2021. The daily auctions for fish sales by fishermen enable buyers to strike good deals and resell their goods at higher prices, thus directly increasing retail consumer fish prices.
  • From 2021 to 2022, fish prices increased by around 0.96%, from USD 3,043 to USD 3,072. The rising fish prices are due to increasing oil prices and rising inflation. To curb this increase, the governments are launching relief measures. For instance, in 2022, the UAE government doubled the budget to support low-income families in the country. Another instance is when the king of Saudi Arabia announced USD 5.33 billion for direct cash transfers and stockpiling in 2022.
  • Fish prices are expected to record a sustainable growth rate during the forecast period (2023-2029). Several public and private partnerships are undertaken to enhance the production of fisheries in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia spent USD 80 million on research and planning to develop fish cultivation inland with master trainers to increase production, which is anticipated to help with constant prices.
GCC Seafood Market

OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT

  • Increasing production initiatives to stabilize prices during the forecast period

GCC Seafood Industry Overview

The GCC Seafood Market is fragmented, with the top five companies occupying 4.07%. The major players in this market are Blue Island PLC, National Fishing Company K.S.C., Oman Fisheries Co. SAOG, Sea Pride LLC and The Deep Seafood Company (sorted alphabetically).

GCC Seafood Market Leaders

  1. Blue Island PLC

  2. National Fishing Company K.S.C.

  3. Oman Fisheries Co. SAOG

  4. Sea Pride LLC

  5. The Deep Seafood Company

GCC Seafood Market Concentration

Other important companies include Albatha Group, Almunajem Foods, Enhance Group Holding Company Limited, Thomsun Group, Yamama Al-Baida Gen. Trading & Cont. Est..

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in alphabetical order.

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GCC Seafood Market News

  • May 2022: Gulf Japan Food Fund has invested in Oman Fisheries Co SAOG. This help to take Oman Fisheries' capability to expand its footprint across the global markets.
  • February 2022: Asmak announced a strategic distribution agreement with Fish Farm, a UAE-based aquaculture company. Under this agreement, Asmak distributes fish farm products to capture a wider audience locally and regionally through its processing facility and strong distribution channels, including wholesale, foodservice, and retail.

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We offer a comprehensive and exhaustive set of data pointers. These cover global, regional, and country-level metrics that illustrate the fundamentals of the meat and meat substitutes industry. Clients can access in-depth market analysis through 45+ free charts. This analysis is based on the production of various meat and seafood types, as well as the prices of meat, meat substitutes, and different seafood types. We provide granular-level segmental information, supported by a repository of market data, trends, and expert analysis. Data and analysis on meat types, seafood types, meat substitute types, forms, distribution channels, and more are available. These are provided in the form of comprehensive reports as well as Excel-based data worksheets.

GCC Seafood Market
GCC Seafood Market
GCC Seafood Market
GCC Seafood Market

GCC Seafood Market Report - Table of Contents

  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & KEY FINDINGS

  2. 1. INTRODUCTION

    1. 1.1. Study Assumptions & Market Definition

    2. 1.2. Scope of the Study​

    3. 1.3. Research Methodology

  3. 2. KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS

    1. 2.1. Price Trends

      1. 2.1.1. Fish

      2. 2.1.2. Shrimp

    2. 2.2. Production Trends

      1. 2.2.1. Fish

    3. 2.3. Regulatory Framework

      1. 2.3.1. Saudi Arabia

      2. 2.3.2. United Arab Emirates

    4. 2.4. Value Chain & Distribution Channel Analysis

  4. 3. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD, Forecasts up to 2029 and analysis of growth prospects)

    1. 3.1. Type

      1. 3.1.1. Fish

      2. 3.1.2. Shrimp

      3. 3.1.3. Other Seafood

    2. 3.2. Form

      1. 3.2.1. Canned

      2. 3.2.2. Fresh / Chilled

      3. 3.2.3. Frozen

      4. 3.2.4. Processed

    3. 3.3. Distribution Channel

      1. 3.3.1. Off-Trade

        1. 3.3.1.1. Convenience Stores

        2. 3.3.1.2. Online Channel

        3. 3.3.1.3. Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

        4. 3.3.1.4. Others

      2. 3.3.2. On-Trade

    4. 3.4. Country

      1. 3.4.1. Bahrain

      2. 3.4.2. Kuwait

      3. 3.4.3. Oman

      4. 3.4.4. Qatar

      5. 3.4.5. Saudi Arabia

      6. 3.4.6. United Arab Emirates

  5. 4. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

    1. 4.1. Key Strategic Moves

    2. 4.2. Market Share Analysis

    3. 4.3. Company Landscape

    4. 4.4. Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Business Segments, Financials, Headcount, Key Information, Market Rank, Market Share, Products and Services, and analysis of Recent Developments)

      1. 4.4.1. Albatha Group

      2. 4.4.2. Almunajem Foods

      3. 4.4.3. Blue Island PLC

      4. 4.4.4. Enhance Group Holding Company Limited

      5. 4.4.5. National Fishing Company K.S.C.

      6. 4.4.6. Oman Fisheries Co. SAOG

      7. 4.4.7. Sea Pride LLC

      8. 4.4.8. The Deep Seafood Company

      9. 4.4.9. Thomsun Group

      10. 4.4.10. Yamama Al-Baida Gen. Trading & Cont. Est.

  6. 5. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR SEAFOOD INDUSTRY CEOS

  7. 6. APPENDIX

    1. 6.1. Global Overview

      1. 6.1.1. Overview

      2. 6.1.2. Porter’s Five Forces Framework

      3. 6.1.3. Global Value Chain Analysis

      4. 6.1.4. Market Dynamics (DROs)

    2. 6.2. Sources & References

    3. 6.3. List of Tables & Figures

    4. 6.4. Primary Insights

    5. 6.5. Data Pack

    6. 6.6. Glossary of Terms

List of Tables & Figures

  1. Figure 1:  
  2. FISH PRICE PER METRIC TON, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2023
  1. Figure 2:  
  2. SHRIMP PRICE PER METRIC TON, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2023
  1. Figure 3:  
  2. FISH PRODUCTION, METRIC TON, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 4:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 5:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 6:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET BY TYPE, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 7:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET BY TYPE, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 8:  
  2. VOLUME SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 9:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 10:  
  2. VOLUME OF FISH MARKET, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 11:  
  2. VALUE OF FISH MARKET, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 12:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF FISH SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY FORM, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 13:  
  2. VOLUME OF SHRIMP MARKET, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 14:  
  2. VALUE OF SHRIMP MARKET, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 15:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SHRIMP SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY FORM, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 16:  
  2. VOLUME OF OTHER SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 17:  
  2. VALUE OF OTHER SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 18:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF OTHER SEAFOOD SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY FORM, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 19:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET BY FORM, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 20:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET BY FORM, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 21:  
  2. VOLUME SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY FORM, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 22:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY FORM, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 23:  
  2. VOLUME OF CANNED SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 24:  
  2. VALUE OF CANNED SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 25:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF CANNED SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 26:  
  2. VOLUME OF FRESH / CHILLED SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 27:  
  2. VALUE OF FRESH / CHILLED SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 28:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF FRESH / CHILLED SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 29:  
  2. VOLUME OF FROZEN SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 30:  
  2. VALUE OF FROZEN SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 31:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF FROZEN SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 32:  
  2. VOLUME OF PROCESSED SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 33:  
  2. VALUE OF PROCESSED SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 34:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF PROCESSED SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 35:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 36:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 37:  
  2. VOLUME SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 38:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 39:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA OFF-TRADE, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 40:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA OFF-TRADE, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 41:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA OFF-TRADE CHANNELS, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 42:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA OFF-TRADE CHANNELS, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 43:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA CONVENIENCE STORES, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 44:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA CONVENIENCE STORES, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 45:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA CONVENIENCE STORES SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 46:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA ONLINE CHANNEL, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 47:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA ONLINE CHANNEL, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 48:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA ONLINE CHANNEL SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 49:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA SUPERMARKETS AND HYPERMARKETS, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 50:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA SUPERMARKETS AND HYPERMARKETS, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 51:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA SUPERMARKETS AND HYPERMARKETS SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 52:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA OTHERS, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 53:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA OTHERS, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 54:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA OTHERS SPLIT BY TYPE, %, GCC, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 55:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA ON-TRADE, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 56:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SOLD VIA ON-TRADE, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 57:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET BY COUNTRY, METRIC TONS, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 58:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET BY COUNTRY, USD, GCC, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 59:  
  2. VOLUME SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY COUNTRY, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 60:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY COUNTRY, %, GCC, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2029
  1. Figure 61:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, BAHRAIN, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 62:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, BAHRAIN, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 63:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, BAHRAIN, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 64:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, KUWAIT, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 65:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, KUWAIT, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 66:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, KUWAIT, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 67:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, OMAN, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 68:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, OMAN, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 69:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, OMAN, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 70:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, QATAR, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 71:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, QATAR, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 72:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, QATAR, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 73:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, SAUDI ARABIA, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 74:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, SAUDI ARABIA, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 75:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, SAUDI ARABIA, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 76:  
  2. VOLUME OF SEAFOOD MARKET, METRIC TONS, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 77:  
  2. VALUE OF SEAFOOD MARKET, USD, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 2017 - 2029
  1. Figure 78:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF SEAFOOD MARKET SPLIT BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, %, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 2022 VS 2029
  1. Figure 79:  
  2. MOST ACTIVE COMPANIES BY NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES, COUNT, GCC, 2020 - 2023
  1. Figure 80:  
  2. MOST ADOPTED STRATEGIES, COUNT, GCC, 2020 - 2023
  1. Figure 81:  
  2. VALUE SHARE OF MAJOR PLAYERS, %, GCC, 2022

GCC Seafood Industry Segmentation

Fish, Shrimp are covered as segments by Type. Canned, Fresh / Chilled, Frozen, Processed are covered as segments by Form. Off-Trade, On-Trade are covered as segments by Distribution Channel. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates are covered as segments by Country.

  • In 2022, fish occupied the largest share among all other seafood variants in the market. The sales value grew at a CAGR of 2.37% over 2017-22. The increasing health consciousness among the population and preference toward a nutrient and protein-rich diet without added cholesterol components is leading consumers to spend more on different varieties of fish like sardines, salmon, and tuna. The region of the GCC, apart from hosting extensive desert lands, comprises miles of coastline that assist in the growth of local fisheries.
  • Shrimp is estimated to be the fastest-growing seafood segment in the Middle East over the forecast period. Most shrimp in the region are imported from Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and China. Shrimps are an ideal choice for consumers opting for a protein-rich weight loss diet. Obesity is a pressing issue in GCC, with Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia having more than 25% of their population identified as obese as of 2023, expanding the opportunity for the shrimp industry to flourish in the region.
  • Saudi Arabia is one of the significant countries in the region, occupying one of the highest shares in the market over the study period. The country launched the National Fisheries Development Program as a part of its Vision 2030 to raise a fund of USD 4 billion in 2022. This fund is expected to increase infrastructure and develop the workforce for inland fisheries cultivation. The United Arab Emirates proposed fuel subsidies to its fishing sector to reduce operating costs in 2022 in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Emirates National Oil Company.
Type
Fish
Shrimp
Other Seafood
Form
Canned
Fresh / Chilled
Frozen
Processed
Distribution Channel
Off-Trade
Convenience Stores
Online Channel
Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
Others
On-Trade
Country
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
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Market Definition

  • Frozen / Canned Seafood - Frozen seafood are products whose average temperature is reduced to -18 ° C or lower to preserve the inherent quality of the fresh fish. Then it is kept at a temperature of -18 ° C or lower to maintain its shelf life.​
  • Processed Seafood - Processed seafood are the ones that have been cured, salted, marinated, dried, pickled, fermented or smoked for human consumption. ​
  • Seafood - It contains marine species that can be consumed, particularly fish and shelled marine life.​
  • Shrimp - Shrimp are swimming crustaceans. They have long, slender muscles in their abdomens and lengthy antennae.​
Keyword Definition
A5 It is a Japanese grading system for beef. The 'A' means the carcass yield is the highest possible and the numeric rating relates to beef marbling, color and brightness of the flesh, its texture and color, luster, and fat quality. A5 is the highest mark wagyu beef can score.
Abbatoir It is another name for a slaughterhouse and refers to the premise used for or in connection with the slaughter of animals whose meat is intended for human consumption.
Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) It is a disease that affects shrimp and is characterized by high mortalities, in many cases reaching 100% within 30-35 days of stocking grow-out ponds.
African Swine Fever (ASF) It is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs caused by a double-stranded DNA virus in the Asfarviridae family.
Albacore Tuna It is one of the smallest species of tuna found in the six distinct stocks known globally in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
Angus beef It is beef derived from a specific breed of cattle indigenous to Scotland. It requires certification from the American Angus Association to receive the "Certified Angus Beef" quality mark
Bacon It is salted or smoked meat that comes from the back or sides of a pig
Black Angus It is beef derived from a black-hided breed of cows that don't have horns.
Bologna It is an Italian smoked sausage made of meat, typically large and made from pork, beef or veal.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) It is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that results from infection by an unusual transmissible agent called a prion.
Bratwurst It refers to a type of German sausage made from pork, beef or veal.
BRC British Retail Consortium
Brisket It is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef or veal. The beef brisket is one of the nine beef primal cuts.
Broiler It refers to any chicken (Gallus domesticus) that is bred and raised specifically for meat production.
Bushel It is a unit of measurement for grains and pulses. 1 bushel = 27.216 kg
Carcass It refers to the dressed body of a meat animal from which butchers trim the meat
CFIA Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Chicken Tender It refers to chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of a chicken bird.
Chuck Steak It refers to a cut of beef that is part of the chuck primal, which is a large section of meat from the shoulder area of a cow
Corned Beef It refers to beef brisket cured in brine and boiled, typically served cold.
CWT Also known as a hundredweight, it is a unit of measurement used to define the quantity of meat. 1 CWT = 50.80 kg
Drumstick It refers to a chicken leg without the thigh.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority
ERS Economic Research Service of the USDA
Ewe It is an adult female sheep.
FDA Food and Drug Administration
Fillet Mignon It is a cut of meat taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin.
Flank Steak It is a cut of beef steak taken from the flank, which lies forward of the rear quarter of a cow.
Foodservice It refers to the part of the food industry which includes businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
Forage It refers to animal feed.
Foreshank It is the upper part of the foreleg of cattle
Franks Also known as frankfurter or Würstchen, it is a type of highly seasoned smoked sausage popular in Austria and Germany.
FSANZ Food Standards Australia New Zealand
FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Gizzard It refers to an organ found in the digestive tract of birds. It is also called the mechanical stomach of a bird.
Gluten It is a family of proteins found in grains, including wheat, rye, spelt, and barley
Grain-fed beef It is beef derived from cattle that have been fed a diet supplemented with soy and corn and other additives. Grainfed cows can also be given antibiotics and growth hormones to fatten them up more quickly.
Grass-fed beef It is beef derived from cattle that have only been fed grass as feed.
Ham It refers to the pork meat taken from the leg of a pig.
HoReCa Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes
Jerky It is lean trimmed meat that has been cut into strips and dried (dehydrated) to prevent spoilage.
Kobe Beef It is Wagyu beef specifically from the Kuroge Washu breed of cows in Japan. To be classified as Kobe beef, the cow must have been born, raised, and slaughtered within the Hyōgo prefecture in the city of Kobe in Japan.
Liverwurst It is type of German sausage made from beef or pork liver.
Loin It refers to the sides between the lower ribs and pelvis, and the lower part of the back of a cow.
Mortadella It is a large Italian sausage or luncheon meat made of finely hashed or ground heat-cured pork, which incorporates at least 15% small cubes of pork fat.
Pastrami It refers to a highly seasoned smoked beef, typically served in thin slices.
Pepperoni It is an American variety of spicy salami made from cured meat.
Plate It refers to a forequarter cut from the belly of a cow, just below the rib cut.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) It is a disease occurring in swine causing late-term reproductive failure and severe pneumonia in neonatal pigs.
Primal cuts It refers to the major sections of the carcass.
Quorn It is a meat substitute product prepared using mycoprotein as an ingredient, in which the fungus culture is dried and mixed with egg albumen or potato protein, which acts as a binder, and then is adjusted in texture and pressed into various forms.
Ready-to-Cook (RTC) It refers to food products that include all of the ingredients, where some preparation or cooking is required through a process that is given on the package.
Ready-to-Eat (RTE) It refers to a food product prepared or cooked in advance, with no further cooking or preparation required before being eaten
Retort Packaging It is a process of aseptic packaging food in which food is filled into a pouch or metal can, sealed, and then heated to extremely high temperatures, rendering the product commercially sterile.
Round Steak It refers to a beef steak from the the rear leg of the cow.
Rump Steak It refers to a cut of beef derived from the division between the leg and the chine.
Salami It is a cured sausage consisting of fermented and air-dried meat.
Saturated fat It is a type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all single bonds. It is generally considered unhealthy.
Sausage It is a meat product made of finely chopped and seasoned meat, which may be fresh, smoked, or pickled and which is then usually stuffed into a casing.
Scallop It is an edible shellfish that is a mollusk with a ribbed shell in two parts.
Seitan It is a plant-based meat substitute made out of wheat gluten.
Self-service kios It refers to a self-order point-of-sale (POS) system through which customers place and pay for their own orders at kiosks, enabling totally contactless and frictionless service.
Sirloin It is a cut of beef from the bottom and side parts of a cow's back.
Surimi It is a paste made from deboned fish
Tenderloin It refers to a cut of beef consisting of the entire tenderloin muscle of a cow
Tiger Shrimp It refers to a large shrimp variety from the Indian and Pacific oceans
Trans fat Also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, it is a type of unsaturated fat that naturally occurs in small amounts in meat.
Vannamei shrimp It refers to tropical prawns and shrimp that are farmed in areas near the equator, generally along the coast in artificial ponds.
Wagyu Bee It is beef derived from any of four strains of a breed of black or red Japanese cattle that are valued for their highly marbled meat.
Zoosanitary It refers to the cleanliness of animals or animal product
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Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step 1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set, and the model is built on the basis of these variables.​
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.​
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables, and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.​
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms.
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GCC Seafood Market Research FAQs

The GCC Seafood Market size is expected to reach USD 3.54 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 1.63% to reach USD 3.84 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the GCC Seafood Market size is expected to reach USD 3.54 billion.

Blue Island PLC, National Fishing Company K.S.C., Oman Fisheries Co. SAOG, Sea Pride LLC and The Deep Seafood Company are the major companies operating in the GCC Seafood Market.

In the GCC Seafood Market, the Fish segment accounts for the largest share by type.

In 2024, United Arab Emirates accounts for the largest share by country in the GCC Seafood Market.

In 2023, the GCC Seafood Market size was estimated at 3.54 billion. The report covers the GCC Seafood Market historical market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. The report also forecasts the GCC Seafood Market size for years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

GCC Fish Industry Report

Statistics for the 2024 GCC Fish market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. GCC Fish analysis includes a market forecast outlook 202 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

GCC Seafood Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts Up To 2029