GCC Seafood Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

GCC Seafood Market Trends and Insights

Rising consumer demand for protein-rich foods

As health awareness campaigns gain momentum and dietary guidelines increasingly highlight the benefits of omega-3 intake, per-capita protein consumption in GCC countries is gradually shifting from red meat to seafood. In the UAE, while seafood consumption levels have been sustained, growth has reached a plateau due to the market's maturity and heightened competition from alternative protein sources such as poultry and plant-based proteins. Qatar, through its National Food Security Strategy, has set an ambitious goal to achieve 90% local production of its seafood requirements within five years. This strategy reflects the country's recognition of the risks associated with heavy dependence on imports, including exposure to supply chain disruptions and price volatility. In Bahrain, efforts to enhance and preserve fish stocks are being driven by an aquaculture project. The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) is actively supporting this initiative by providing suitable tanks and designated locations for the cultivation of fish fry and eggs. Among GCC nations, Saudi Arabia demonstrates the strongest momentum in this shift, supported by government-led consumption targets that create a predictable increase in seafood demand. Conversely, the UAE faces challenges in driving further growth due to market saturation and the substitution effects of alternative protein sources.

Expansion of tourism, hospitality, and chained foodservice

Tourism arrivals are reshaping the demand for premium seafood in on-trade channels. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international overnight visitors from January to December 2024^{[1]Source: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), "Dubai welcomes 18.72 million international visitors in 2024", dubaidet.gov.ae}. Despite global challenges, Dubai's expanding hotel supply has bolstered demand for high-margin seafood like salmon, tuna, and king prawns, especially in fine dining and buffet settings. Building on the legacy infrastructure from the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar has sustained a heightened hospitality capacity. Meanwhile, cloud kitchens have surged in Doha and Abu Dhabi, establishing fresh distribution points for frozen and processed seafood. In February 2024, Tabuk Fisheries partnered with NEOM to launch Topian Aquaculture, targeting luxury resorts and destination restaurants in the ambitious USD 500 billion megacity. This move underscores the trend of real-estate megaprojects driving forward aquaculture investments. While this momentum is strong in the short term, buoyed by ongoing construction and hospitality jobs from Saudi Arabia's Giga-projects, challenges loom. A global recession could dampen discretionary travel, and the rise of alternative proteins might seize institutional catering contracts. The growing populations from the Asia-Pacific, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, are amplifying seafood demand in Saudi Arabia. These communities not only consume fish more frequently than the average Saudi but also introduce diverse species and culinary traditions centered on seafood. As a result, both retail and foodservice seafood offerings are witnessing accelerated growth. In 2024, Saudi Arabia welcomed 9.7 million inbound tourists from the Asia-Pacific, as reported by the Ministry of Tourism^{[2]Source: Ministry of Tourism, "Tourism Statistics in Saudi Arabia Annual Report 2024", mt.gov.sa}. This influx, with its strong seafood-centric culinary traditions, is significantly boosting both the volume and value of the Saudi Arabia seafood market.

Growing consumer and retailer interest in certified sustainable and ethically sourced seafood

Sustainability certifications are shifting from niche differentiators to standard expectations in the GCC retail sector. In 2024, Oman's yellowfin tuna fishery in the Indian Ocean earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. This milestone enabled the fishery to secure premium pricing in European and North American markets while establishing a regional benchmark. UAE retailers Carrefour and Lulu Hypermarket actively promoted MSC- and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)-certified products during 2024 and 2025, driven by expatriate demand and government sustainability mandates. In 2025, the National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA) obtained ASC Shrimp Farm Certification, a step that facilitated access to European buyers and safeguarded the company against future import restrictions tied to environmental standards. Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait endorsed the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement in 2024, committing to eliminate subsidies that contribute to overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) activities. However, the adoption of certifications remains a long-term process. Certification requires substantial capital investment, third-party audits, and supply chain transparency, which smaller operators often cannot afford. This dynamic creates a two-tier market where certified players benefit from price premiums, while uncertified suppliers compete primarily on cost.

Expanded cold-chain and e-commerce penetration

In 2024, Agthia and Kibsons advanced their efforts in cold logistics by investing in temperature-controlled warehouses and electric refrigerated vans. These initiatives not only minimized spoilage but also enabled subscription models for premium seafood boxes. In February 2025, Almunajem Foods launched "Loadly," a logistics subsidiary in Riyadh with an initial capacity of 42,000 pallet positions. The company plans to expand this capacity to over 200,000 pallets within two years, focusing on Jeddah and other strategic hubs. To enhance operations, Almunajem equipped its van-sales representatives with Oracle ERP-integrated devices, providing real-time inventory visibility and optimizing routes, which are crucial for distributing fresh and chilled seafood. Oman inaugurated a fish canning complex in November 2024 and, in December 2025, introduced a floating factory worth USD 20 million in the Duqm Special Economic Zone. This initiative strengthens export-oriented seafood processing capabilities linked to port infrastructure. Additionally, advanced freezing technologies, such as the Cells Alive System, are transforming the seafood market by preserving nutrient content and texture. These innovations are improving consumer perceptions of frozen seafood and supporting long-haul distribution from Norway, Ecuador, and India to GCC markets.

Imported feed-price volatility

GCC producers, reliant on imports from Peru, Chile, and Norway, find their aquaculture margins vulnerable to global commodity fluctuations. In 2024, global fishmeal prices surged by 15–20%, while fish oil prices jumped by 25–30%. These increases were largely attributed to El Niño-induced shortfalls of anchovies off the Peruvian coast, coupled with heightened demand from European salmon farms. In response, 2024 saw Cargill and other feed suppliers advocating for genetically modified canola oil and algae-derived omega-3 as alternative substitutes. Furthermore, Norway greenlit the use of GM canola oil in aquaculture. However, in the GCC markets, adoption has been tepid, hindered by regulatory uncertainties and consumer skepticism. Given that feed costs account for 50–60% of expenses in intensive shrimp and finfish farming, any sustained price hike can significantly squeeze gross margins. This often compels operators to either pass on the costs to buyers or scale back production. Such constraints are particularly pronounced in the short term, as feed contracts are renewed annually. Moreover, with GCC aquaculture expanding rapidly, there's a notable lag in domestic feed-ingredient production to meet this growth.

Competition from alternative proteins

In the GCC, consumers who are health-conscious and environmentally aware are increasingly adopting plant-based and cultivated seafood, which are now entering retail and foodservice channels. During 2024–2025, Good Catch and Gathered Foods launched plant-based seafood products in Middle Eastern markets, promoting them as sustainable and cholesterol-free alternatives to wild-caught and farmed fish. In 2024, the UAE's Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology approved cultivated chicken, creating a regulatory pathway that could enable cell-based seafood approval within the next 2–3 years. These products appeal to expatriates from North America and Europe, who are already accustomed to alternative proteins, as well as younger Gulf nationals who emphasize environmental sustainability and animal welfare. However, cultivated seafood producers face significant challenges, including the high costs of bioreactor facilities, unclear halal certification processes, and consumer skepticism toward lab-grown foods. Traditional seafood benefits from well-established supply chains, cultural acceptance, and cost advantages, but the competition could intensify if alternative-protein producers achieve cost parity or if governments introduce sustainability labeling that disadvantages wild-caught seafood.