DOHA: In line with regional eating habits, the 2014 edition of seafex—the region’s biggest international trade fair for the seafood industry—has been expanded by 56 percent larger than its launch event in 2012.
The expansion is a result of the GCC’s rising per capita seafood consumption. More than 100 exhibitors from 22 countries will be participating in the fair this year in Dubai from November 9 to 11.
According to a report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the Middle East — particularly the GCC —saw its per capita average seafood consumption almost double from 2010 to 2013.
With the Middle East average only 14.4kg per year back in 2010, the UAE and Oman’s per capita seafood consumption were among the world’s highest at 28.6kg per year last year.
Significantly, the GCC’s per capita average seafood consumption is expected to increase year-on-year in-line with Gulf countries’ population growth — the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) forecasts the GCC population will reach 53.5 million by 2020 — rapid economic development, market demand and robust regional logistics capabilities.
To meet the increasing regional demand for seafood, various GCC governments have already implemented developmental initiatives designed to foster greater domestic production.
In the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, more investments are being directed towards aquaculture — the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of water environments including ponds, rivers, lakes and the ocean.
The main aquaculture producers in the region are Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
GCC countries are starting to invest in aquaculture projects to meet the rising seafood consumption.
Earlier this year, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Agriculture invested an additional $10.6bn into aquaculture projects to produce one million tonnes of fish in the next 16 years, while the Omani government has already granted aquaculture licenses to 19 projects worth $332m in 2014, with additional plans to invest $1.3bn in fisheries’ development by 2020.
“Our largest edition of SEAFEX underlines its position as a strategic platform supporting the region’s growing seafood requirements,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, DWTC.
“The show is widely-regarded for facilitating trade and delivering exceptional business opportunities in a market top of attention for global manufacturers.
The fair will showcase technologies — such as hatcheries, harvesting of plants and animals, processing and trading — designed to enhance future production of regional seafood products.
The Peninsula
