United Arab Emirates: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, the frozen freshwater fish market in the United Arab Emirates increased by 23% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, consumption showed a notable expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports from the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, overseas shipments of frozen freshwater fish decreased by -18.5% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 408%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports fell markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 287%. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Oman (X tons) was the main destination for frozen freshwater fish exports from the United Arab Emirates, with a 57% share of total exports. Moreover, frozen freshwater fish exports to Oman exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malaysia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Saudi Arabia (X tons), with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Oman amounted to +33.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+36.7% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+18.9% per year).

In value terms, Oman ($X) remains the key foreign market for frozen freshwater fish exports from the United Arab Emirates, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Oman totaled +30.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+33.8% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+27.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average frozen freshwater fish export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -15.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 100% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Oman ($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 Saudi Arabia (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports into the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, purchases abroad of frozen freshwater fish increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +38.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports contracted to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value 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, imports increased by +54.0% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 77% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports by Country

Myanmar (X tons), Thailand (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) were the main suppliers of frozen freshwater fish imports to the United Arab Emirates, with a combined 47% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Myanmar (with a CAGR of +32.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Thailand ($X), Myanmar ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) constituted the largest frozen freshwater fish suppliers to the United Arab Emirates, together accounting for 45% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Myanmar, with a CAGR of +41.9%, saw 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 average frozen freshwater fish import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -24.2% 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 appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 47% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped notably in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Myanmar (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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