MoAF to develop 3 markets; fish production up by 59%

Muscat – 

As element of its efforts to develop the fisheries sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) is organizing to develop 3 markets in numerous governorates of the sultanate. Speaking to Muscat Daily, an official at MoAF mentioned, “The ministry is calling on specialised companies to develop fish markets in Bidiyah and Dima Wa al Taien in North Sharqiyah governorate, and Izki in Dakhliyah.”

The deadline for submission of tenders is October 27.

The official added, “Oman’s total fish production was up by 59 per cent to 553,000 tonnes last year compared to 18 per cent growth in 2017, according to statistics from the ministry. The total value of fish stocks stood at RO269mn compared to RO183mn in 2017.”

The ministry mentioned that the leading 5 importing nations of Omani fish had been the United Arab Emirates (53,000 tonnes), Thailand (44,000 tonnes), Saudi Arabia (24,000 tonnes), Brazil (23,000 tonnes) and Bangladesh (15,000 tonnes).

The official added, “The top five varieties of exports were sardines (142,000 tonnes), squid (14,000 tonnes), ribbon fish (10,000 tonnes), catfish (10,000 tonnes) and pelagic (10,000 tonnes). The total exports stood at 245,000 tonnes and the value of exports stood at RO99mn.”

Information Source: Muscat Daily