Atarraya looks to bring high-tech shrimp farming to UAE, evolves business model

The move reflects the evolution of its business model toward an asset-light approach, scaling through partnerships with 'master franchisors'.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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High-tech shrimp farmer Atarraya is working with a partner in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to pilot its production system there, which, if successful, could lead to a large-scale deployment as food security moves up the agenda in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. The company is also exploring co-location opportunities with tomato growers in greenhouses that require similar conditions to shrimp and can use microbial biomass produced by its systems as organic fertilizer.

Why it matters

The UAE has one of the highest per capita demands for shrimp but imports most of its supply. Atarraya's high-tech shrimp farming system could help the country boost domestic production and food security. Additionally, the company's asset-light partnership model and exploration of synergies with tomato growers reflect its evolution to scale its technology more efficiently.

The details

Atarraya is working with Silal, a company established by ADQ (Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company), to pilot its shrimp farming system in the UAE. The pilot will test whether the technology can be adapted to desert conditions and how quickly it could scale to reach at least 5% of UAE demand. Atarraya has also reduced its capital requirements by 70% with the introduction of a new 'air shrimp' box design that is cheaper and easier to ship. The company is now focused on scaling through partnerships and exploring co-location opportunities with tomato growers, who can use the microbial biomass from the shrimp farms as organic fertilizer.

  • The UAE talks started more than two years ago.
  • The next step is a pilot to test whether the technology can be adapted to desert conditions.

The players

Atarraya

A high-tech shrimp farming company that is evolving its business model toward an asset-light approach and scaling through partnerships.

Silal

A company established by ADQ (Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company) to strengthen food security by diversifying food sources in the UAE.

Daniel Russek

The founder of Atarraya.

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What they’re saying

“They originally reached out to us when we had the first shrimp box model [since replaced by a lower-cost, IKEA-style flat-packed 'air shrimp box' that's easier to ship], and at that time the economics didn't work for them.”

— Daniel Russek, Founder (AgFunderNews)

“The UAE has one of the highest per capita demands for shrimp, and they are not going to bet 100% on one company. They want to jumpstart the whole industry. And while most protein staples have low margins, shrimp farming is high margin. They also have very low energy costs.”

— Daniel Russek, Founder (AgFunderNews)

What’s next

The next step is a pilot to test whether the technology can be adapted to desert conditions and, if so, how quickly it could scale to reach at least 5% of UAE demand.

The takeaway

Atarraya's move to the UAE and its evolving business model toward an asset-light partnership approach reflects the company's efforts to scale its high-tech shrimp farming technology more efficiently and meet growing global demand for sustainable seafood production.