Middle East: Frozen Fish Meat Market 2025

Frozen Fish Meat Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern frozen fish meat market shrank remarkably to $X in 2021, reducing by -24% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a noticeable slump. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Production in the Middle East

In value terms, frozen fish meat production rose remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -6.1% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 31%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Frozen Fish Meat Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, approx. X tons of frozen fish meat were exported in the Middle East; picking up by 15% on the year before. In general, exports recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 96% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen fish meat exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Bahrain was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which recorded 48% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons), Israel (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons), together creating a 49% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to frozen fish meat exports from Bahrain stood at +53.2%. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+61.4%) and Israel (+56.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, 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. Bahrain (+43 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (+21 p.p.) and Israel (+16 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -39.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Bahrain ($X), Israel ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 87% of total exports.

Bahrain, with a CAGR of +61.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 50%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($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 the Middle East

In 2021, overseas purchases of frozen fish meat decreased by -33.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 118% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen fish meat imports declined dramatically to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 105%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of frozen fish meat, namely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Palestine, represented more than two-thirds of total import. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took an 8.4% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Israel (6.1%). Turkey (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

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, Palestine ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 68% of total imports. Bahrain, Israel and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

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

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 22% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 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 Turkey (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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