GCC: Frozen Fish Meat Market 2025

Frozen Fish Meat Market Size in GCC

The GCC frozen fish meat market dropped rapidly to $X in 2021, waning by -29.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a perceptible setback. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Production in GCC

In value terms, frozen fish meat production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 43%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, the amount of frozen fish meat exported in GCC amounted to X tons, growing by 3.9% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports showed a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 144%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen fish meat exports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 83% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Bahrain represented the key exporter of frozen fish meat in GCC, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 60% of total exports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons). All these countries together took near 39% share of total exports.

Exports from Bahrain increased at an average annual rate of +53.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+61.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +61.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-1.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia increased by +52 and +26 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Bahrain ($X) remains the largest frozen fish meat supplier in GCC, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 21% share of total exports.

In Bahrain, frozen fish meat exports increased at an average annual rate of +61.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+47.2% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-2.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 4.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 61%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($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 (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Frozen Fish Meat Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, overseas purchases of frozen fish meat decreased by -46.5% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports continue to indicate a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 158%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen fish meat imports shrank significantly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 138%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) were the main importers of frozen fish meat in GCC, together mixing up 83% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), generating a 12% share of total imports. Kuwait (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Bahrain (with a CAGR of +68.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Bahrain ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 95% share of total imports.

Bahrain, with a CAGR of +61.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Bahrain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform