The industry is bearing the brunt of climate change and economic turbulence

Although Egypt’s aquaculture industry has witnessed spectacular growth over the past decade, its future has become uncertain for a variety of reasons. While immediate challenges are primarily economic, it is also braced for more fundamental threats associated with climate change and water scarcity.

“Egypt has seen a huge expansion in aquaculture over the past eight years or so,” said Mirette Mabrouk, Senior Fellow and Director Egypt Programme at the Middle East Institute. “As of 2022, it was number one in Africa, sixth worldwide, and the third largest producer of tilapia.”

This production growth has mainly been driven through the need to establish food security and has been achieved through the expansion of new technologies and improved farming practices, Mabrouk said.