Saudi Arabia: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in Saudi Arabia

For the fourth year in a row, the Saudi frozen freshwater fish market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -1.8% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a modest expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production declined dramatically to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production faced a dramatic setback. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2021, overseas shipments of frozen freshwater fish decreased by -55% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 297%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports declined rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 228% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

Bahrain (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Myanmar (X tons) were the main destinations of frozen freshwater fish exports from Saudi Arabia, with a combined 69% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +43.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Bahrain ($X) remains the key foreign market for frozen freshwater fish exports from Saudi Arabia, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Bahrain stood at +15.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+21.7% per year) and Egypt (+3.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average frozen freshwater fish export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -11.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Indonesia (+33.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

After three years of decline, supplies from abroad of frozen freshwater fish increased by 30% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a measured increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 69% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports amounted to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Egypt (X tons), Myanmar (X tons) and Thailand (X tons) were the main suppliers of frozen freshwater fish imports to Saudi Arabia, with a combined 83% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +132.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Myanmar ($X) constituted the largest supplier of frozen freshwater fish to Saudi Arabia, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Myanmar amounted to +6.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (+10.1% per year) and Thailand (+7.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average frozen freshwater fish import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -13.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Bangladesh ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bangladesh (+8.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :