Tilapia aquaculture has been a key component of inland fish farming in Saudi Arabia since the 1980s. Despite the rise of marine shrimp farming, tilapia production reached 45,200 tons in 2023, accounting for 32% of the nation’s aquaculture output. Driven by strong local demand, tilapia remains a staple in domestic seafood markets.
The sector faces persistent constraints, including poor-quality broodstock, fragmented small-scale farms, and a lack of trained personnel. Freshwater access is regulated, and inconsistent farm management complicates disease prevention. In response, the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (MEWA) launched initiatives under Vision 2030 to enhance the sector’s sustainability. These include improving hatchery capacity, developing local broodstock, and strengthening biosecurity protocols.
Collaborations with universities and international partners support technology transfer and farmer training. Marketing campaigns and national events aim to increase domestic seafood consumption from the current 9–12 kg per capita to 13 kg by 2030.
Future priorities include expanding hatchery infrastructure, securing high-quality fry, and introducing systems such as aquaponics to improve efficiency. Sustained investment in human resources, infrastructure, and health management is essential to position tilapia as a pillar of Saudi Arabia’s food security and rural development.
References
Young, B. C., Algethami, S., Alazwari, A. A., Alghamdi, F., & Shaikhi, A. A. (2025). Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) aquaculture in Saudi Arabia: A new start and new practices. World Aquaculture, 56(1), 48–51.