Saudi Arabia has enhanced its food security efforts with the launch of a trout farming project, developed through a partnership between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and King Abdulaziz University. The initiative, located at KACST’s research station in Al-Muzahmiyya Governorate, is supported by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture’s National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program.
It also aims to reduce potential disruptions in supply chains. This move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to increase domestic fish production to 600,000 tonnes annually to ensure food sustainability. The project introduces trout farming as a solution to meet the rising domestic demand for seafood.
The project utilises a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), which uses less water than traditional farming methods and minimizes the risk of diseases. This system also controls environmental factors like temperature, oxygen levels, and nutrition, improving the health and quality of the fish.
Trout, chosen for their nutritional value and suitability for local environmental conditions, were raised from the egg incubation stage to reach a commercial size of over 1200 grams. The success of the project has encouraged private sector involvement, with adoption of RAS technology in regions like Riyadh, Makkah, Al-Baha, and northern Saudi Arabia.
This initiative supports the National Fisheries Development Program by optimising resource use, increasing the sector’s economic contribution, and enhancing seafood self-sufficiency. The country’s fisheries and aquaculture production grew by 55.56 percent in 2023, reaching over 140,000 tonnes, marking significant progress in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency and promote sustainable development.
