Egypt Aquaculture Market, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2018-2028

The Egypt aquaculture market is poised for remarkable expansion until 2028, fueled by escalating fish demand within the country

The Egypt aquaculture market is poised for remarkable expansion until 2028, fueled by escalating fish demand within the country. Notably, Egypt's fish and seafood segment experienced a substantial revenue surge in 2022

Aquaculture, or fish farming, entails cultivating aquatic organisms like fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants for sustenance, leisure, and conservation. This rapidly expanding sector holds increasing importance in the global economy, serving as a vital food and income source for millions globally. This article delves into the historical backdrop, benefits, challenges, and future outlook of aquaculture. Amidst the mounting global population, the need for food continues to grow, and aquaculture emerges as a sustainable protein and nutrient source, particularly in regions where conventional fishing proves insufficient or unviable. Notably, aquaculture also generates job opportunities and contributes to local and national economies, with several countries viewing it as a noteworthy export industry, fostering revenue and employment.

However, akin to other agricultural forms, aquaculture bears environmental ramifications. Fish farming, if not managed properly, can lead to waterway pollution due to waste and chemical discharge, in addition to fostering disease spread and parasite propagation. Disease outbreaks and parasite infestations can cause substantial losses for fish farmers, adding to the challenges the industry faces.

Nevertheless, despite these hurdles, the aquaculture sector is poised for growth in the forthcoming years. Escalating seafood demand worldwide coupled with sustainable aquaculture practices positions it as a crucial solution. Technological strides, including enhanced feed formulations and disease management methods, are expected to bolster efficiency and sustainability. Moreover, the introduction of new farming species like seaweed and algae presents fresh opportunities for aquaculture, suitable for diverse applications such as food, fuel, and more.

Egypt's historical connection to aquaculture spans thousands of years, with its origins found in the Nile Delta and the Red Sea. The ancient Egyptians established fish ponds and canals for fish breeding, a tradition continued by various civilizations through the centuries. In the modern era, commercial aquaculture began to emerge in the 1950s with the government's establishment of a fish farming research center and its encouragement of private sector investment in the field.

In the present context, Egypt ranks among Africa's leading farmed fish producers, churning out approximately 1.3 million tons annually. The majority of this production centers on tilapia, accounting for around 90% of the farmed fish. The sector serves as a critical income and employment source for rural communities, especially in the Nile Delta and along the Red Sea coast.

Driving Market Growth: Demand and Government Support

The foremost impetus for Egypt's thriving aquaculture market stems from the escalating demand for fish, domestically and internationally. Egypt stands as a substantial fish consumer, with per capita fish consumption estimated around 21 kg annually. The growing population and escalating appetite for protein-rich foods underline the sustained rise in fish demand. Additionally, Egypt boasts export potential for farmed fish, especially to European and Middle Eastern markets. To meet this, the government aims to boost fish production to 2 million tons by 2022, necessitating significant aquaculture industry investment and expansion.

Support from the Egyptian government has been instrumental in the sector's growth. Recognizing aquaculture's role in food security and economic development, the government has implemented policies and initiatives including research and development investments to enhance fish breeding, disease management, and feed quality. Establishment and upgrade of fish farms, along with financial backing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in aquaculture, reflect the government's commitment. Efforts to cultivate export markets for Egyptian farmed fish contribute to a favorable environment for sector expansion.

Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities

Aquaculture operations hinge on water quality, a factor essential for success. Subpar water quality can lead to reduced growth rates, heightened disease susceptibility, and even fish mortality. In Egypt, several factors such as pollution, sedimentation, and salinity influence water quality. Although the government has taken measures to enhance water quality, including water treatment plants and pollution reduction regulations, the issue remains a significant concern for the industry.

Disease outbreaks pose a severe threat to aquaculture operations, causing substantial financial losses and production disruptions. In Egypt, various fish species, including tilapia, have reported disease outbreaks. The government's investments in research and development for improved disease prevention and management, coupled with farmer-adoption of biosecurity measures, are vital in tackling this challenge.

Market access to international markets forms a linchpin for Egypt's aquaculture industry growth. However, multiple obstacles, including trade barriers, certification prerequisites, and global competition, obstruct such access. To counter this, the government is actively forging new trade agreements and championing Egyptian farmed fish on international platforms. Additionally, industry endeavors to meet international certification standards, like those set by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), stand to broaden market reach.

Emerging Trends and Developments

In recent years, Egypt's aquaculture sector witnessed significant technological advancements. Notably, the adoption of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) allows high-quality fish production with minimal water use and waste generation. Advancements in fish genetics, feed formulation, and disease prevention have collectively enhanced production efficiency and sustainability.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Egypt's aquaculture industry, mirroring its effect on other economic sectors. Disrupted global supply chains and closed international markets led to a decline in farmed fish exports from Egypt.

Market Segmentation

Egypt Aquaculture Market is segmented based on Type, Species, Production Type, Distribution Channel, Region and Competitive Landscape. Based on the Type, the market is categorized into Land Based Aquaculture v/s Sea Based Aquaculture. Based on Species the market is divided into Pelagic Fish, Demersal Fish, Freshwater Fish. Based on Production Type the market is divided into Small Scale v/s Medium & Large Scale. Based on Distribution Channel the market is further segmented into Traditional Retail, Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Specialized Retailers, Online Stores, Others. Based on region, the market is divided into Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Qalyubia, Port Said, Suez, and Rest of Egypt.

Market Players

Agrimatic Farms, Bustan Aquaponics, Evergreen Egypt United, Grand Fish Feed., NatureWorks, Suez Canal Fish Farming and Aquaculture Company., PNG Advanced Agriculture Solutions are some of the key players of the Egypt Aquaculture Market.

Report Scope

In this report, Egypt Aquaculture market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:

Egypt Aquaculture Market, by Type:

• Land Based Aquaculture
• Sea Based Aquaculture

Egypt Aquaculture Market, by Species:

• Pelagic Fish
• Demersal Fish
• Freshwater Fish

Egypt Aquaculture Market, by Production Type:

• Small Scale
• Medium/Large Scale

Egypt Aquaculture Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Traditional Retail
• Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
• Specialized Retailers
• Online Stores
• Others

Egypt Aquaculture Market, by Region:

• Cairo
• Alexandria
• Giza
• Qalyubia
• Port Said
• Suez
• Rest of Egypt

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Egypt Aquaculture market.

Available Customization

The following customization option is available based on your specific needs: Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).


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