Page 49 - FULL YEAR BOOK 2021

UAE

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

SECTOR - GROWTH, TRENDS AND FORECAST (2020 - 2025)

The United Arab Emirates fisheries production was 10,480 tons in 2016
and aquaculture market is projected that increased to 10,550 tons in 2018.
to register a CAGR of 4.7% during the Thus to meet the consumer demand the
forecast period (2020-2025). The UAE aquaculture production in the country is
government is focusing on increasing anticipated to grow during the forecast
aquaculture projects as it is a viable period.
source for improving the region’s food
security which is the major concern Increasing Import
in the country. With rapid growth
and development and the diverse of Fish is Driving the
population of the UAE coupled with
rising consumption of seafood is likely Market
to be the major factor that is driving the
fisheries and aquaculture sector. The According to the ITC Trade, in 2018,
tourist visits into the country and lower- The growing population coupled with UAE imported frozen fish worth USD
income disparity among the population increasing consumption of fish is leading 74,725 thousand compared to USD 55,512
further fuel consumption thus driving to dependence on the import of the thousand in 2016. In 2018, Myanmar,
the market. fish to meet the domestic fish demand. Taipei(China), and Chile are the major
With the pivotal role fisheries and According to the UAE Ministry of Climate exporters to the UAE with a share of
Change and Environment, in 2017, the
aquaculture plays in achieving self- average annual seafood consumption 17.2%, 13.%, and 12.8% respectively.
sufficiency and meeting human protein in the UAE is nearly 226,000 tons, while Myanmar amounted to the export value
needs, the government is focusing on the UAE’s fish stocks were 70,000 tons, of USD 12,887 thousand. The import of
the development of the industry which forcing the country import-dependent fish is expected to grow further during
has led to the establishment of the for more than 70% of its seafood. the forecast period due to the increasing
demand from the consumers.
Marine research center. Freshwater
aquaculture in the country is limited only
to a few irrigation channels, ponds, and
tanks located near to agriculture farms. Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in UAE (2017-2018)
Expansion is likely to happen in the near Item 2017 Flag 2018 Flag
future as people are becoming aware
of the dual benefits of rearing fish such Almonds, with shell 914 Im 932 Im
as tilapia in such facilities which will Bananas 201 Im 204 Im
not only produce fish but also fertilize
the irrigation water. All these factors Barley 114 Im 114 Im
will drive the fisheries and aquaculture Cabbages and other brassicas 11694 14055
market in United Arab Emirates.
Carrots and turnips 36457 Im 41595 Im
Growing Fish and Cauliflowers and broccoli 6401 6500
Seafood Consumption is Cucumbers and gherkins 53915 71350

Driving the Production Dates 344714 345119
Eggplants (aubergines)
20486
20859
Figs 358 497
UAE is the highest consumer of fish
among all GCC countries. An increase in Fruit, fresh nes 9297 10289
population, largely made up of protein
preferring young population and ex- Grapes 32 Im 31 Im
pats, further drives demand. UAE has Lemons and limes 5693 4847
acquired food security through the
availability of fresh fish. According to Lettuce and chicory 780 Im 780 Im
The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi Maize 17143 8942 Im
(EAD), in 2018, production in Abu Dhabi
amounted to about 810 tons of aquatic Potatoes 359 451
organisms with a value of approximately Sorghum M M
USD 5.06 million which represented a
20% increase in production, from 650 Tomatoes 80236 78607
tons in 2017. Also, according to the Food Watermelons 1111 2205
and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in
2018 the tuna fish production was 19,700 Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology Source: FAO Statistical Division 2019
tons which have remained stable for the M: Data not available
past three years whereas pelagic fishes
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