The demand for freshwater fish in the United Arab Emirates has shown significant fluctuations over the past decade. Commencing at 77.94 thousand metric tons in 2014, the market witnessed an initial increase, peaking at 85.19 in 2015, before encountering consistent declines from 2016 onward, reaching 57.71 thousand metric tons in 2023.
The year-on-year variation reflects substantial changes:
- 2015: +9.3%
- 2016: -11.15%
- 2017: -16.53%
- 2018: 0%
- 2019: -0.55%
- 2020: -18.74%
- 2021: +12.06%
- 2022: +3.04%
- 2023: -2.1%
The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2019 to 2023 stood at -1.79%, indicating an average annual decline in demand. Future forecasts suggest a continued decrease with a forecasted 5-year CAGR of -1.88%, projecting the demand to decline to 51.05 thousand metric tons by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include advancements in aquaculture technology, shifts in consumer preferences towards locally sourced products, and potential impacts of sustainability initiatives aimed at preserving natural water resources.
