Popular species in Saudi Arabia include Nile tilapia, sea bass, dentex, and shrimp
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has reported a major achievement in Saudi Arabia’s fish farming industry, with saltwater and inland fish farming production rising by 56.4 per cent since 2021, reaching a record 140,000 tonnes in 2023.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, alongside aquaculture, marine fisheries from the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf contributed 74,700 tonnes, reflecting a 16.2 per cent increase compared to 2022. Altogether, aquaculture and marine fishing produced 214,000 tonnes of fish in 2023.
The ministry has introduced strategic plans to enhance domestic fish production, improve quality, diversify species, and stimulate investment, aiming to raise per capita fish consumption to 13 kilograms annually.
Popular species in Saudi Arabia include Nile tilapia, sea bass, dentex, and shrimp.
The rapid expansion of the fisheries sector is attributed to efforts to modernise the industry and attract investments, with an increase in fish farming projects and the availability of development loans for aquaculture and marine fishing.
By supporting small-scale fishermen, promoting technology adoption, and simplifying investment processes, the ministry seeks to empower the private sector and boost the agricultural sector’s contribution to the GDP, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of economic diversification.
