The market for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Qatar is projected to register a CAGR of 5.1%, during the forecast period. Qatar has the potential to be a world leader in marine salt-based aquaculture, which is possible with research and exploration of its natural water resources. The Qatari fisheries sector is important from a socio-economic and traditional viewpoint. In many coastal communities, the sector provides economic activity and employment opportunities. Aquaculture is not a traditional activity in Qatar, as there is no significant aquaculture production. The existing aquaculture activities have been conducted by researchers in small-scale freshwater facilities, using tilapia. The major fish market in Qatar is in Doha although smaller markets exist at Al-Shamal, al-Wakra, and al-Khour. Most production is consumed locally although some fish is exported to neighboring countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Key Market Trends

Qatar Production Analysis

The Qatari fisheries sector is carried out by capture production, with aquaculture occupying a very insignificant share. The total capture production in the year 2016 was 15,202 metric tons, while that of aquaculture was only 10 metric tons, which constituted farmed tilapia production. Emperor fishes, followed by narrow-barred Spanish mackerel and groupers, are the most common species. Freshwater aquaculture production was the only type of aquaculture production from 2010 to 2015, with no marine aquaculture production being carried during the same period. Freshwater diadromous fish is the only species used for aquaculture production in Qatar, while in capture production, the major species are demersal marine fish and pelagic marine fish. According to FAO, Freshwater fish accounted for the major share in the capture during 2017 followed by the Crustaceans. Qatar also plans to meet 90% of its need through local production by 2023. The Aquatic Fisheries and Research Centre targets annual production of 2.4 million half-subsidized fingerlings to supply commercial aquafarms which expect to produce up to 7,000 tons of marine fishes and shrimps a year.

Import Is Driving The Market

According to the International Trade Centre, In 2018, Norway, Turkey, India, and Pakistan are the major exporters of fish to the Qatar market, among which Norway holds a major share of 60%. No significant commercial fish farming occurs in Qatar. Even though there are shallow levels of aquaculture production, Qatar is encouraging investments in mariculture. In 2017, To safeguard its fish reserves from depletion, Qatar enforces a ban on trawlers, stopped issuing new fishing licenses and imposes ’a ceiling on fish catch from the sea’ at 14,000 tons a year. Most operations are small-scale and focus primarily on the domestic market, though Qatar University maintains a number of experimental facilities. The wholesale market is the largest segment of the Qatari fish market. The Doha central market is the largest wholesale market, where fish are available at a 50% lesser rate, compared to retail outlets, including malls and hypermarkets.

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