The volume of the freshwater fish market in the United Arab Emirates experienced significant fluctuations over the past decade, starting at 77.94 thousand metric tons in 2014 and peaking in 2015 at 85.19 thousand metric tons. This was followed by a general downward trend, culminating in a volume of 57.71 thousand metric tons in 2023. Year-on-year variations have been pronounced, with the market witnessing its steepest decline of -18.74% in 2020 and a partial recovery in the subsequent years with slight increases, such as 12.06% in 2021 and 3.04% in 2022. From 2023, the market is projected to continue its downward trend, with an expected CAGR of -1.88% by 2028, bringing the volume down to 51.05 thousand metric tons.
Future trends to watch for in the UAE's freshwater fish market include the possible impacts of sustainable fishing practices, government regulations on aquaculture, and shifts in consumer preferences towards plant-based or alternative protein sources. Technological advancements in aquaculture may also play a role in stabilizing or potentially reversing the downward trend.