Saudi Arabia’s National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA) is the first company in the country to achieve GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture (Shrimp & Fish) and Compound Feed Manufacturing Certification. This success also makes the NAQUA Group the first company in the MENA Region to achieve both GLOBALG.A.P. Standards, and the fifth company in the world to achieve GLOBALG.A.P. Certification for Barramundi Fish. This also makes Saudi Arabia the ninth country in the world to be GLOBALG.A.P. certified for White-leg Shrimp [Litopenaeus Vannamei].
Commenting on this historical success, engineer Ahmed R. Al-Ballaa, NAQUA’s Managing Director, stated: “GLOBALG.A.P. Certification was a strategic target, which brings us to the front line of leading aquaculture systems in the world. This proves that NAQUA has well defined measures on complying with all local and global norms for animal welfare, sustained aquaculture and feed manufacturing systems, professional and talented human resources, and a platform for producing world-class seafood products.”
Mr. Al-Ballaa continued by saying; “GLOBALG.A.P. Certification will help us explore our global markets as a recognized, sustainable aquaculture company. This success shows that company’s strategic approach towards aquaculture system management to serve the cause of food security has been successful, by distributing our products in broader bands in the local and international markets, and by exploring new international markets. We are serving our customers with guaranteed quality seafood products that have become internationally recognized.”
The National Aquaculture Group is fully committed to the highest standards for global aquaculture practices. Considered a model for local and global aquaculture systems, NAQUA is one of the largest integrated desert coastal companies in global marine aquaculture systems, with over 2,500 employees in the group and an expected production capacity of 35,000 metric tons of shrimp and 100,000 metric tons of fish. In addition to fish and shrimp, NAQUA produces sea cucumber, algae and artemia products. NAQUA uses Red Sea water to produce and enhance the flavor of the shrimps and fish with total consideration to protecting and improving the environment.
Mr. Nasir Hameed, NAQUA’s Director for Corporate Quality & Sustainability stated: “We have raised the bar for all aquaculture systems in the region by achieving GLOBALG.A.P. Certification. We fix our targets according to business and market needs on quality and food safety, environment and sustainability. This success proves the company’s compliance towards all global regulatory and industrial standards for a sustainable aquaculture system. It is a great success and yet another bright day at work in fulfilling our promise to produce the best possible quality of aquaculture products for our customers and consumers.”
NAQUA’s distinctive achievement follows a comprehensive assessment of the business by SGS Australia PTY LTD, an independent accredited certification body for global Good Agricultural Practices.
