MENA: Market for Dried Or Salted Fish 2024

Market Size for Dried Or Salted Fish in MENA

In 2021, the MENA's dried or salted fish market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced slump. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Dried Or Salted Fish in MENA

In value terms, dried or salted fish production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Dried Or Salted Fish

Exports in MENA

In 2021, the amount of dried or salted fish exported in MENA dropped to X tons, which is down by -8.9% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, exports showed a perceptible reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 55%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, dried or salted fish exports fell modestly to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 26%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Morocco prevails in exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 72% of total exports in 2021. Oman (X tons) took an 8.9% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Tunisia (8.5%) and the United Arab Emirates (4.6%). The following exporters - Yemen (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) - each amounted to a 3.8% share of total exports.

Morocco was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dried or salted fish exports, with a CAGR of +14.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Egypt (+7.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Tunisia (-2.2%), Oman (-11.0%), Yemen (-22.9%) and the United Arab Emirates (-24.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Morocco (+58 p.p.) and Tunisia (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Oman, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -7.4%, -11.6% and -31.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) remains the largest dried or salted fish supplier in MENA, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tunisia ($X), with a 9.8% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 4.5% share.

In Morocco, dried or salted fish exports increased at an average annual rate of +15.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tunisia (-0.9% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-25.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 7.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 58%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Yemen (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Dried Or Salted Fish

Imports in MENA

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of dried or salted fish, when their volume decreased by -18.7% to X tons. In general, imports continue to indicate a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 40% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, dried or salted fish imports declined to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Tunisia represented the main importer of dried or salted fish in MENA, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 40% of total imports in 2021. Morocco (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Israel (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 49% share of total imports. The following importers - Jordan (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) - each resulted at a 3.8% share of total imports.

Tunisia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of dried or salted fish. At the same time, Syrian Arab Republic (+71.6%), Kuwait (+3.1%) and Israel (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Syrian Arab Republic emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +71.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Jordan (-5.6%), the United Arab Emirates (-9.2%) and Morocco (-10.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Tunisia (+13 p.p.), Israel (+6.2 p.p.), Kuwait (+2.9 p.p.) and Syrian Arab Republic (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the United Arab Emirates and Morocco saw its share reduced by -5.6% and -14% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Tunisia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported dried or salted fish in MENA, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Israel ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Morocco, with a 12% share.

In Tunisia, dried or salted fish imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (+3.7% per year) and Morocco (-12.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Morocco ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+1.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform