Qassim: Qassim Region is one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's most prominent regions in fish farming, producing a wide range of species, including tilapia-which accounts for approximately 95% of the region's total production-carp, sea bream, sturgeon, and various ornamental fish. With abundant groundwater and favorable environmental conditions, Qassim contributes significantly to national food security, accounting for nearly one-third of inland aquaculture production, according to recent statistics from the Saudi Aquaculture Society (SAS).
According to Saudi Press Agency, the region is particularly focused on tilapia and sea bream farming, contributing around 20% of the Kingdom's total tilapia production. It also cultivates more than 70 species of ornamental fish, which are sold across Saudi Arabia and exported to Gulf states and Europe.
Groundwater is used to fill fish ponds, allowing local farmers to diversify their agricultural income. These farms create further investment opportunities by repurposing nutrient-rich pond water to irrigate plants and vegetables, serving as a natural organic fertilizer-especially for crops such as the region's renowned date palms.
Qassim's fish farms primarily focus on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a species well-suited to freshwater aquaculture due to its ability to adapt to varying environmental conditions.
Fish farming enthusiast Yousef Al-Munawer described aquaculture as a successful and growing sector in Qassim, driven by strong demand and the use of advanced technologies such as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), which allow fish to be raised in controlled, water-efficient environments. He added that farms use high-quality feeds made from corn, soybeans, and other plant-based ingredients to ensure healthy yields. The pond water is later used to irrigate palm trees, supporting organic date production.
Saudi Arabia's aquaculture sector has seen remarkable growth, with production increasing from 32,000 tons in 2016 to 119,000 tons in 2022, according to SAS. The Kingdom aims to align production with per capita consumption and reach a self-sufficiency rate of 59%.
Qassim continues to play a key role in this growth, reinforcing its status as a major hub for fish farming in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia places high strategic importance on the aquaculture sector. Under the national strategy, the Kingdom aims to increase production to over 600,000 tons by 2030. This includes advancing fish-farming technologies in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and the Saudi Aquaculture Society.