During the first nine months of last year, Kuwait witnessed the sale of approximately 2,000 tons of local fish, totaling over 4.69 million dinars in value.
Data from the Central Administration of Statistics reveals fluctuations in fish sales throughout the year. In the first quarter of 2023, sales amounted to about 732.8 tons, valued at 1.64 billion dinars. However, sales dipped by 43.4 percent in the second quarter, totaling 399.26 tons with a value of 927.8 million dinars. Subsequently, sales rebounded in the third quarter, reaching 866.7 tons valued at 2.12 billion dinars, reports Al-Rai daily.
Fish prices in Kuwait experienced a notable increase compared to 2022. The price per kilogram of Zubaidi rose by 2.8 percent, reaching 10.5 dinars, while shrimp prices surged by 15.5 percent to 1.88 dinars per kilogram. Similarly, the prices of sha’ari and subaiti increased by 19 percent and 21.6 percent, respectively.
Comparisons with other Gulf markets revealed significant price disparities. For instance, the price of Zubaidi in Kuwait is approximately 2 percent higher than in Bahrain, but 385 percent higher than in Qatar. Similarly, the price of shrimp in Kuwait is higher compared to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
These statistics underscored a considerable gap between fish prices in Kuwait and those in neighboring Gulf markets, with Kuwaiti prices being notably higher across various fish species.
