Competitive Trade Analysis – Fish and seafood trends in the United Arab Emirates

Trade and market overview

The UAE imports most fish and seafood products, which increased by 6.3% annually over 2019-23. United Arab Emirates' top fish and seafood imports in 2023 were frozen shrimps, prepared tuna, Atlantic salmon, sea bream, and frozen fish. Key supplying countries were India, Thailand, Norway, and Iran.

The top five fish and seafood suppliers to UAE accounted for Can$597.5 million or 50.0% of total fish and seafood imports in 2023. Canada has been an insignificant but steady supplier of fish and seafood to UAE. Imports from Canada increased by 16.5% annually over 2019-23 to a market share of 0.5% in 2023. Canada ranks 29th among 83 supplying countries to UAE of fish and seafood products. In 2023, Canada had an fish and seafood trade surplus of Can$5.7 million with UAE.

According to Euromonitor, as the expat population continues to grow in UAE, demand for fresh and frozen fish and seafood continues to grow. Consumers are seeking sustainably-sourced fish and seafood, which has spurred many initiatives in UAE to harvest fish and seafood at a rate that allows the population to replenish itself, as well as to develop innovative technologies to enhance sustainability within the industry.

Consumers with busy lifestyles are turning to frozen seafood as they have less time to prepare meals with fresh fish, making meals easier and more convenient. In addition, the extended shelf life of frozen fish and seafood makes it convenient in terms of storing it for longer periods. The growing penetration of frozen fish and seafood may impact the growth rate of fresh options in UAE over the near term.

Canada's import supply gap to UAE of its top ten fish and seafood imports is high due to competitors' advantages in most of these products. The fastest growing imports include sea bass, frozen Atlantic salmon, sea bream, shrimps, frozen fish, and prepared tuna. Top imports from Canada are frozen lobster, lobster, prepared lobster, mussels, fresh fish, and frozen anchovies.

Top 10 fish and seafood imports

1. 1. Frozen shrimps (HS 030617)

2. Prepared or preserved tuna (HS 160414)

3. Atlantic salmon (HS 030214)

4. Sea bream (HS030285)

5. Frozen fish, nowhere else specified (HS030389)

6. Frozen catfish fillets (HS 030462)

7. Frozen Atlantic salmon (HS 030313)

8. Frozen cuttle fish and squid (HS 030743)

9. Sea bass (HS 030284)

Shrimps (HS 030636)

For more information

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Resources

• Global Trade Tracker, 2024
• Euromonitor International:
  • Fish and seafood in the UAE, December 2023
  • Fresh food in the UAE. December 2023

Competitive Trade Analysis – Fish and seafood trends in the United Arab Emirates
Global Analysis Report

Prepared by: Kris Clipsham, Market Analyst

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