KSA Fish Market (2025 - 2033) Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Species (Tuna Salmon), By Form (Fresh/Chilled, Frozen), By Source (Wild-caught Farmed), By Distribution Channel (HoReCa, Retail), By City, And Segment Forecasts

KSA Fish Market Summary

The KSA fish market size was estimated at USD 4,269.8 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8,027.5 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2025 to 2033. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fish industry growth is underpinned by several key factors, including a rising demand for fish as a protein source, government initiatives aimed at boosting the local seafood industry, and the increasing health-consciousness among Saudi consumers.

Programs such as the National Fisheries Development Program (NFDP) are aimed at increasing domestic fish production and reducing the reliance on imported fish. This focus on aquaculture not only ensures a stable and sustainable supply of fish but also supports the government’s broader goals of boosting local industries and reducing food imports.

One of the primary causes of KSA fish industry growth is the growing awareness of the health benefits of consuming fish. Fish is recognized globally as an excellent source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential amino acids, which contribute to heart health, brain function, and overall well-being. As health-conscious consumers seek to reduce their intake of red meat and other animal proteins, fish has emerged as a preferred choice due to its nutritional profile. This trend is particularly strong among younger generations in Saudi Arabia, who are more inclined towards maintaining a healthy and balanced diet.

The government’s efforts to promote food security and sustainability are another important factor contributing to the KSA fish industry’s growth. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes a strong focus on achieving self-sufficiency in food production, with a specific emphasis on enhancing local fish production. The country has been making substantial investments in aquaculture, developing sustainable farming practices to meet the growing demand for seafood.

The Saudi Arabia fish market is also benefiting from the increased demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly protein sources. As global concerns over the environmental impact of meat production intensify, consumers are becoming more conscious of the ecological footprint of their food choices. Fish, particularly when farmed sustainably, is considered an eco-friendly alternative compared to livestock. This shift in consumer preferences towards more sustainable food options is expected to drive continued growth in the KSA fish industry, particularly as more fish farming operations adopt environmentally responsible practices.

Consumer Insights for KSA Fish Market:

Species Insights

The KSA shrimp fish market accounted for the largest share of 22.6% of the revenue in 2024. The shrimp market in KSA is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing demand for high-protein, low-fat seafood options. Shrimp is highly valued for its nutritional benefits, including its rich protein content and essential vitamins, making it an attractive choice for health-conscious consumers. The rising awareness of healthy eating and the desire for diversified diets are encouraging more consumers to include shrimp in their regular meals.

The KSA tuna fish market is projected to grow at a significant CAGR of 8.2% from 2025 to 2033. The demand for tuna in the KSA fish market is primarily driven by the growing health consciousness among consumers. Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and essential nutrients, making it an appealing choice for health-conscious individuals. As awareness about the benefits of a balanced diet increases, more consumers in KSA are incorporating tuna into their diets, which is boosting its market demand.

Form Insights

The KSA fresh/chilled fish market accounted for the largest share of 42.3% of the revenue in 2024. The demand for fresh and chilled fish in the KSA fish market is driven by a growing preference for high-quality, nutritious seafood. Consumers are increasingly seeking fresh options due to their superior flavor, texture, and nutritional benefits, such as higher omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins compared to frozen alternatives. This preference is particularly strong among the affluent and health-conscious consumer segments who prioritize fresh ingredients in their diet.

The KSA processed fish market is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 10.3% from 2025 to 2033. The processed fish market in KSA is experiencing strong growth due to the increasing demand for ready-to-eat and convenient meal options among consumers. As busy lifestyles become more common, the preference for processed fish products, such as fish fillets, fish cakes, and canned fish, is growing. These products are highly convenient, as they require minimal preparation time and are often pre-seasoned or marinated, making them ideal for quick meals.

Source Insights

The KSA farmed fish market accounted for the largest share of 77.2% of the revenue in 2024. The farmed fish market in KSA is rapidly expanding, driven by several key factors, including the rising demand for affordable, consistent, and sustainable seafood options. As KSA seeks to reduce its dependency on imported seafood, the development of local aquaculture is playing an essential role in meeting the Kingdom’s growing seafood consumption needs.

The KSA wild-caught fish market is projected to grow at a significant CAGR of 3.1% from 2025 to 2033. The wild-caught fish market in KSA is largely driven by the Kingdom's rich marine resources and the high demand for premium, fresh seafood. Wild-caught fish are considered to have superior flavor and texture compared to farmed varieties, making them a preferred choice for consumers, especially in high-end restaurants and premium retail outlets.

Distribution Channel Insights

The KSA fish market through retail channels accounted for the largest share of around 77.1% of the revenue in 2024. The retail channel is a significant driver of the fish market in KSA, propelled by the increasing demand for seafood among health-conscious consumers and the expansion of modern retail formats. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and specialty seafood stores are playing a pivotal role in making a wide variety of fish products accessible to a broader customer base. These retail outlets offer fresh, frozen, and processed fish, catering to the varying preferences and budgets of consumers.

The KSA fish market through HoReCa channel is projected to grow at a significant CAGR of 7.7% from 2025 to 2033. The HORECA channel plays a pivotal role in driving the fish market in KSA, fueled by the rapid growth of the hospitality and tourism sectors. With the government’s strategic focus on expanding tourism through Vision 2030, there has been a significant increase in the number of hotels, restaurants, and catering services across the Kingdom.

City Insights

Jeddah Fish Market Trends

Jeddah fish market accounted for the market share of 21.9% in 2024. Jeddah’s position on the Red Sea places it close to high-yield coastal fishing grounds, which has enabled reliable daily landings and high throughput at the wholesale market, a foundational reason for a large market share. A long-standing central fish market and daily auction mechanism attract traders, restaurateurs, and wholesalers, improving price discovery and inventory turnover. Jeddah’s tourism, restaurants, and coastal retail channels (high footfall and restaurant concentration) create concentrated consumption demand that is serviced primarily through the Jeddah wholesale hub, supporting a larger share than other cities.

Dammam Fish Market Trends

Dammam fish market is expanding at the fastest CAGR of 8.7% from 2025 to 2033. Targeted national and regional aquaculture investments and policies have prioritized Gulf-coast facilities and projects in the Eastern Province, which is being scaled rapidly, lifting supply growth and enabling faster market expansion in Dammam. Port infrastructure and logistics capacity in the Eastern Province (near King Abdulaziz Port / Khobar-Dammam corridor) has been upgraded for higher throughput and cold-chain exports, improving Dammam’s role as both a domestic distribution hub and an export gateway.

Key KSA Fish Company Insights

The Saudi Arabia fish market is import-led and characterized by fragmented supply chains and concentrated urban demand (first- and new-first-tier cities). The competitive landscape of the KSA fish market is characterized by a transition from import-led supply toward a more diversified, vertically integrated domestic value chain where large listed players, mid-size processors and emerging aquaculture specialists compete on scale, quality and route-to-market. Market concentration is being driven by incumbent processors and distributors (notably publicly listed Saudi Fisheries Company and large food-group investors) that are leveraging processing capacity and retail/foodservice contracts to secure margin capture, while new entrants and joint ventures are targeting upstream aquaculture (RAS and coastal cages) to internalize supply and reduce import exposure.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, The Saudi Fisheries Company entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aqua Bridge Farms to collaborate on the development and investment in aquaculture.

• In November 2024, Saudi Fisheries announced the spin-off of a new aquaculture entity as part of its restructuring efforts aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and focusing on sustainable seafood production.

KSA Fish Market Report Scope

KSA Fish Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the KSA fish market report on the basis of species, form, source, distribution channel, and city:

• Species Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Thousand Tons; 2021 - 2033)

  • Tuna

  • Salmon

  • Mackerel

  • Tilapia

  • Shrimp

  • Grouper

  • Sea bream

  • Others

• Form Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Thousand Tons; 2021 - 2033)

  • Fresh/Chilled

  • Frozen

  • Processed

• Source Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Thousand Tons; 2021 - 2033)

  • Wild-caught

  • Farmed

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Thousand Tons; 2021 - 2033)

  • HoReCa

  • Retail

    • Hypermarkets & Supermarkets

    • Specialty Stores

    • Online

    • Others

• City Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Thousand Tons; 2021 - 2033)

  • Riyadh

  • Jeddah

  • Mecca (Makkah)

  • Medina (Madinah)

  • Dammam

  • Khobar

  • Taif

  • Tabuk

  • Buraydah

  • Khamis Mushai