The report “Saudi Arabia Seafood Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020–2030F” has officially been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com, offering a comprehensive view of one of the GCC’s fastest-growing food sectors. According to the study, the Saudi Arabia seafood market was valued at USD 1.02 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.25 billion by 2030, reflecting a steady CAGR of 3.45%. This growth trajectory underscores strong consumer shifts, government-backed development programs, and rising investments across the aquatic food value chain.
A Market Growing on Strengthening Consumer and Economic Fundamentals
Saudi Arabia’s seafood industry has been expanding rapidly, supported by a combination of shifting dietary preferences and higher purchasing power. In recent years, health consciousness has become more deeply ingrained in Saudi consumers’ lifestyles. As more individuals prioritize nutritious, lean, and protein-rich diets, seafood has emerged as a preferred choice given its low-fat profile, high omega-3 content, and overall health benefits. This nutrition-driven consumer movement continues to serve as one of the core pillars of market expansion.
Parallel to this trend is the country’s rising disposable income, particularly among the growing middle-class population. As household incomes increase, seafood consumption—both at home and across restaurant dining—has climbed significantly. Premium seafood categories, such as salmon, shrimp, and imported shellfish, have gained popularity as consumers seek variety and higher-quality dining experiences.
Urbanization is also reshaping consumption patterns. With more families living in urban centers and adopting fast-paced lifestyles, demand has risen for ready-to-cook, portioned, frozen, and pre-processed seafood products. Retailers, hypermarkets, and even online grocery platforms are expanding their seafood offerings to meet this surge, making the category more accessible than ever before.
Vision 2030 Driving Aquaculture, Domestic Production, and Investment
At the macro level, Saudi Arabia’s seafood industry is closely intertwined with Vision 2030, the country’s national roadmap to diversify the economy beyond oil. The government has prioritized the development of aquaculture and fisheries as strategic sectors capable of supporting food security, generating jobs, and enabling sustainable long-term growth.
Under the ambitious plan, the government has rolled out incentives, subsidies, and regulatory reforms to attract private-sector investments in aquaculture. These initiatives also include modernizing fishing infrastructure, enhancing quality standards, and supporting the adoption of advanced, sustainable farming technologies. The country’s geographic advantage—with extensive coastlines along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf—adds to its potential, enabling easier access to seafood resources and operational logistics.
Hospitality, tourism, and the broader food service industry—sectors expanding rapidly under Vision 2030—also contribute to growing seafood demand. New hotels, resorts, fine-dining venues, and international restaurant chains prominently feature seafood dishes, boosting consumption across both domestic and expatriate populations.
Leading Players Strengthening Market Competitiveness
The report profiles several key companies shaping the current and future trajectory of the Saudi seafood industry. Major players include:
- Arab Fisheries Co.
- National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA)
- Izafco
- Sammak
- Sealand Foods
- Royal Future
- East Coast Seafood Company
- Asian Seafood Corporation
- The Sea Food Company Pte. Ltd.
- Aljunaid Seafood
These companies are investing in cold storage infrastructure, R&D, expanded product lines, international sourcing networks, and modern aquaculture techniques. Their competitive strategies aim to address the rising local demand while tapping into regional export opportunities.
Market Drivers
Surging Fish Consumption Across the Kingdom
One of the most influential drivers of the Saudi seafood market is the steady increase in fish consumption across the country. As per recent estimates, by 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to produce 600,000 tons of fish and raise national per-capita seafood consumption to 13 kilograms.
This rising demand has prompted heavy investments in aquaculture technology. Innovations such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), automated feeding systems, and biosecure farming environments are improving production efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Additionally, the development of 16 modern fishing ports along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf is expected to support marine catch, enhance the livelihoods of coastal communities, and reduce pressure on imported supplies. Together, these efforts reflect a strong national push toward boosting both availability and affordability of seafood.
Market Challenges
High Dependence on Imports
Despite a strong policy focus on developing local production, Saudi Arabia continues to rely heavily on imported seafood to meet domestic demand. A significant portion of fish and shellfish consumed in the Kingdom is sourced from international suppliers across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
This dependence creates several challenges:
- Global price volatility: International market fluctuations directly affect local pricing.
- Supply chain disruptions: Geopolitical tensions, pandemics, or shipping bottlenecks can delay imports.
- Quality and freshness concerns: Long transit times impact product quality and safety.
- Limited control over supply standards: Imported items may follow varying quality, sustainability, and traceability protocols.
While Vision 2030 initiatives aim to reduce this dependency, current limitations—including infrastructure gaps, insufficient skilled labor, and the need for advanced aquaculture technologies—continue to slow the pace of domestic expansion.
Reducing import reliance is crucial for Saudi Arabia as it strives for greater food security, stable pricing, and sustainable sectoral development. Overcoming this challenge will require long-term investments in hatcheries, cold chain networks, feed production, and local aquaculture expertise.
Market Trends
Technological Advancements Transforming Aquaculture
Technology-driven transformation is one of the most promising trends reshaping Saudi Arabia’s seafood sector. Aligned with national goals, new innovations are making aquaculture more efficient, scalable, and environmentally sustainable.
Key advancements include:
- Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): These closed-loop systems reuse water, making fish farming feasible even in arid regions.
- Biofloc technology: Helps maintain water quality while supporting high-density production.
- Precision feeding and automation: Reduces waste, optimizes nutrition, and enhances growth rates.
Collaborations between the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) play a major role in accelerating research and innovation. Their joint programs aim to boost domestic production from 280,000 tons in 2024 to 530,000 tons by 2030—nearly doubling national output.
Innovations in aquafeed also demonstrate major progress. More than 30 new feed formulations have been introduced, improving feed conversion ratios by 10–15%. These improvements could save as much as USD 417 million annually in production costs while improving environmental sustainability.
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