MEET THE REGION'S FISH
The fish industry is considered an emerging market in Lebanon, according to Karim Arakji, general manager of Royal Gourmet, seafood producer and distributor of fresh fish/shellfish and meat. “We import three times per week, primarily from the North Sea, English Channel and the Indian Ocean,” he said. Besides Royal Gourmet, Arakji is also behind Meat the Fish, a renowned meat and seafood restaurant in Beirut. According to Arakji, salmon is a highly popular fish locally as well as grouper, sea bass and red mullet. The Sultan Ibrahim fish variety also sells well in Lebanon, more so than white fish from Europe. This market leans towards fish from Egypt, Turkey and the GCC. Cod, Dover sole turbot, St. Pierre, sea bass and monkfish, meanwhile, are becoming better known. When it comes to exports, Royal Gourmet distributes its value-added products, mainly smoked fish, across the GCC and Africa. The company is continuously expanding its offerings to meet demand.