GCC: Battered Fish Fillet Market 2025

Battered Fish Fillet Market Size in GCC

After two years of growth, the GCC battered fish fillet market decreased by -0.7% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption enjoyed a prominent increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Battered Fish Fillet Production in GCC

In value terms, battered fish fillet production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 114%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Battered Fish Fillet Exports

Exports in GCC

Battered fish fillet exports shrank significantly to X tons in 2021, declining by -33.1% compared with the year before. Overall, exports recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, battered fish fillet exports reduced sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 57%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which resulted at 62% of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held a 20% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (9.7%) and Bahrain (7.9%).

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to battered fish fillet exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at -13.0%. At the same time, Bahrain (+23.2%) and Saudi Arabia (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +23.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Oman (-25.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates increased by +16, +7.6 and +6.2 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest battered fish fillet supplier in GCC, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Bahrain, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled -9.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+10.9% per year) and Bahrain (+36.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, standing approx. at the previous year. Export price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, battered fish fillet export price increased by +24.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+10.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Battered Fish Fillet Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, approx. X tons of fish fillets in batter or breadcrumbs were imported in GCC; which is down by -17.4% compared with 2020 figures. In general, imports continue to indicate a significant contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, battered fish fillet imports dropped dramatically to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a significant contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates dominates imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 78% of total imports in 2021. Bahrain (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 8.9% share, followed by Kuwait (8.8%). The following importers - Qatar (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - each accounted for a 4% share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +12.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Qatar (+16.4%) and Bahrain (+6.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +16.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Oman (-2.4%) and Kuwait (-7.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+76 p.p.), Bahrain (+8.4 p.p.), Kuwait (+7.1 p.p.) and Qatar (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported fish fillets in batter or breadcrumbs in GCC, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bahrain ($X), with an 8.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a 7.5% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, battered fish fillet imports increased at an average annual rate of +9.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Bahrain (+9.3% per year) and Kuwait (-6.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -13.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the import price increased by 24%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform