Kuwait’s fish trade expands amid changing consumer trends
2026-03-26 - 06:52
Kuwait’s seafood market posted steady growth in 2025, with total fish sales rising by 4.6% to reach approximately 2.77 million kilograms, up from 2.65 million in 2024. Despite the increase in volume, the overall market value saw a modest uptick of 1.1%, totaling 6.36 million dinars compared to 6.293 million the previous year—signaling a slight easing in average prices, reports Al-Rai daily. According to data released by the Central Statistical Bureau, the fourth quarter once again dominated annual performance, recording sales of 1.09 million kilograms valued at 2.62 million dinars, mirroring the seasonal peak observed in 2024. The third quarter followed closely, supported by the shrimp fishing season, with sales reaching 837,500 kilograms worth 1.951 million dinars. In contrast, the second quarter remained the weakest period, with sales dropping to just 336,620 kilograms valued at 811,560 dinars—continuing a recurring seasonal dip tied to lower supply and fishing activity. Shrimp retained its position as the top-selling seafood category for the second consecutive year, despite a noticeable decline in volumes to 960,600 kilograms in 2025, down from over 1.08 million kilograms in 2024. The drop has been attributed to regulatory fishing bans that limited the season primarily to the third and fourth quarters. Nevertheless, shrimp sales still generated more than 2.34 million dinars, underscoring its continued dominance in the market. Among other key species, grouper emerged as one of the most actively traded fish, with sales exceeding 128,000 kilograms valued at around 653,000 dinars, while kingfish recorded volumes of nearly 175,000 kilograms worth 317,500 dinars. Both species remained competitively priced, contributing to strong consumer demand. Meanwhile, the prized Zubaidi fish maintained its status as the most expensive option in the local market, commanding an average price of 9.33 dinars per kilogram. Despite relatively modest volumes of 55,800 kilograms, it generated over 525,000 dinars in sales—reflecting sustained demand for premium seafood. The data also highlighted a clear consumer shift toward more affordable varieties. Lower-priced fish such as bass saw significant demand, with volumes reaching 173,000 kilograms at an average price of just 630 fils per kilogram. Similarly, categories like sardines, nuwaibi, and sakan recorded solid sales, reinforcing the growing preference for budget-friendly options. Notably, the “other fish” category—which includes a wide range of less prominent species—ranked second in terms of total volume, with sales of approximately 428,000 kilograms, though at a lower overall value due to its average price of just over one dinar per kilogram. Overall, the market showed a high level of concentration, with just 10 seafood categories accounting for more than three-quarters of total sales volume and over 84% of total market value. Combined, these top-performing categories generated around 5.36 million dinars from 2.13 million kilograms of fish. The figures paint a picture of a resilient and evolving seafood market in Kuwait—one that balances strong demand, seasonal fluctuations, and shifting consumer preferences between premium and affordable choices.