Aquaculture Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Environment (Marine Water, Fresh Water, Brackish Water), By Fish Type (Carps, Mollusks, Crustaceans, Mackerels, Sea Bream, Others), By Region, and By Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Aquaculture Market, valued at USD 40.64 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 6.60% to reach USD 59.63 Billion by 2030. Aquaculture, defined as the controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms including fish, shellfish, and plants in various aquatic environments, represents a critical component of global food supply. This market’s expansion is primarily driven by the escalating worldwide demand for protein, the depletion of wild fish stocks due to overfishing, and ongoing technological advancements enhancing farming efficiency. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in 2022, global aquaculture production reached a record 130.9 million tonnes, with aquatic animal production surpassing capture fisheries for the first time.

Despite this robust growth, the market faces significant impediments to sustained expansion, notably the escalating operational costs. Feed expenses, a substantial component of production, present a considerable financial strain for producers. This pressure, if unaddressed, could hinder profitability and investment, thereby limiting future market development.

Key Market Drivers

The aquaculture market is experiencing robust expansion, fundamentally underpinned by its critical role in global food security and protein supply. Global aquaculture production was valued at USD 312.8 billion in 2022, according to the FAO. A primary impetus behind this growth is increasing global seafood demand. As wild fisheries face persistent overexploitation, aquaculture remains the only viable pathway to augment aquatic food supplies for a growing world population. This escalating consumer demand is evidenced by a rising preference for seafood as a healthy protein source. According to the FAO, in 2022, global per capita annual consumption of aquatic animal foods rose to 20.7 kg, reflecting an upward trajectory in dietary patterns worldwide. This heightened demand directly stimulates investment and growth, urging producers to scale operations and enhance efficiency.

Significant advancements in aquaculture technology profoundly influence the sector’s development. Innovations in feed formulation, water quality management, disease prevention, and genetic improvements enable more intensive, efficient, and sustainable production systems. These technological strides include the proliferation of recirculating aquaculture systems and offshore farming, mitigating environmental impact and expanding farming locations. Such developments attract substantial investment. According to The Fish Site, in January 2025, aquaculture startups raised $854 million in venture capital in 2023, channeling funds into technological innovation aimed at enhancing productivity and resource utilization. These advancements address operational challenges, improve resilience, and ultimately drive higher yields, making aquaculture a more reliable industry for meeting future food requirements.

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Key Market Challenges

Escalating operational costs pose a significant challenge to the sustained expansion of the global aquaculture market. Feed expenses represent a primary component of these costs, exerting considerable financial pressure on producers. This directly impacts the profitability of aquaculture operations, as higher input costs reduce margins even with stable or rising product prices. Reduced profitability can in turn hinder investment in new technologies, infrastructure, and species diversification, which are crucial for market development and efficiency improvements.

The financial strain from these rising costs is substantial. According to IFFO, an international trade organisation for the marine-ingredients industry, during 2022 to 2023, feed prices increased by 30% due to geopolitical issues, energy price increases, and limited raw materials. This considerable surge in a major expense category limits the capital available for growth initiatives, thereby constraining the overall trajectory of the global aquaculture market.

Key Market Trends

The global aquaculture market is significantly influenced by the increasing prevalence of value-added aquatic products. This trend reflects a market shift towards processed and convenient seafood options that offer consumers ease of preparation and extended shelf life. Producers are increasingly transforming raw aquatic products into consumer-ready formats, such as pre-portioned fillets, ready-to-cook meals, and smoked or cured items. This diversification meets modern lifestyle demands, where convenience and minimal cooking time are highly valued. For example, the expansion of the frozen seafood segment significantly contributes, providing consistent quality and availability irrespective of seasonal variations. According to the International Institute of Refrigeration, in 2023, global frozen seafood trade reached 15.2 million tonnes, representing 35% of total international seafood trade by volume. These value-added products command higher prices, enhancing profitability and driving innovation in processing and packaging technologies.

Consumer preferences are also increasingly moving towards seafood products certified as organic or sustainably sourced. This trend is driven by heightened environmental consciousness and ethical concerns regarding aquaculture practices and wild fisheries management. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for seafood demonstrating adherence to rigorous standards for environmental protection, animal welfare, and social responsibility. Certification labels from organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) provide consumers with assurance regarding product provenance and ecological footprint. According to the Marine Stewardship Council’s Annual Report 2024 Summary, in the year to March 2024, 1.2 million tonnes of MSC labelled seafood was sold, amounting to a total retail value of US$13.4 billion. This escalating demand encourages producers to adopt certified sustainable practices, fostering a more responsible and transparent global aquaculture supply chain.

Segmental Insights

The Fresh Water segment is a key growth driver within the Global Aquaculture Market, largely due to its inherent operational advantages and broad accessibility. This segment benefits from comparatively lower initial investment and simpler infrastructure requirements, which attract both small and large-scale producers. Furthermore, the widespread availability of freshwater resources globally, coupled with the adaptability and resilience of prominent species like carp and tilapia, enables efficient and cost-effective production. These factors collectively contribute to its rapid expansion by offering a sustainable and manageable approach to meeting increasing global demand for aquatic protein.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific stands as the leading region in the global aquaculture market, driven by a confluence of favorable factors. The region benefits from abundant natural water resources, encompassing extensive coastlines and numerous inland water bodies, providing ideal conditions for diverse aquaculture practices. Its advantageous tropical and subtropical climates allow for consistent, year-round cultivation of aquatic species. Furthermore, strong government support and initiatives in countries such as China and India actively promote market growth and development. A large and expanding population, coupled with rising disposable incomes, fuels significant domestic demand for seafood as a vital protein source. This foundation, combined with established traditional farming methods and ongoing technological advancements, solidifies Asia Pacific's sustained dominance in the global aquaculture landscape.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, Ode, a cod farming company, and the Norwegian research institute Møreforsking announced a scientific breakthrough from their LuxCod project. This research investigated how specific light regimes influence cod in aquaculture environments. The findings revealed that precise light management can effectively delay early sexual maturation in farmed cod beyond the typical production cycle. This development is considered significant for the cod farming community, enabling farmers to control maturation until fish reach full harvest size. The breakthrough contributes to enhanced fish welfare, high-quality product delivery, and reduced ecological risks in open-pen farming.

• In October 2025, Skretting launched "Necto," a new functional diet featuring a proprietary blend of bioactive compounds derived from whole plants and specific plant parts. This new product, developed through extensive research, is designed to protect fish health and welfare in aquaculture. Skretting stated that "Necto" surpasses traditional feed formulations, establishing a new benchmark in functional diets by tailoring solutions to specific challenges faced by farmed fish. The company indicated that this development represents a significant milestone for feed innovation, aiming to improve overall health and resilience of aquatic species.

• In April 2024, BioMar introduced "Calm," a new product designed to enhance salmon welfare within the aquaculture sector. This latest addition to their SmartCare range is formulated with natural ingredients and aims to mitigate the negative impacts of stress events, such as those associated with sea lice treatments. The product supports fish through challenging periods like crowding and handling, promoting a quicker return to normal feeding patterns. Trials demonstrated that "Calm" positively affected feed intake, growth, and pigmentation, leading to improved outcomes for farmers at harvest and underscoring its utility in maintaining fish performance in aquaculture operations.

• In April 2024, FAI and Spring Genetics announced a new collaboration to advance tilapia welfare standards in the aquaculture industry, particularly across the Americas. This partnership addresses challenges facing the tilapia sector, including disease-related mortality and the effects of global warming. Spring Genetics, a company specializing in tilapia genetics, will receive specialized welfare training and utilize FAI's Tilapia Welfare assessment application. The initiative aims to enhance sustainable aquaculture practices by prioritizing animal welfare, which is crucial for improving key performance indicators in farming operations. Both entities plan to facilitate knowledge exchange and cooperation across the industry.

Key Market Players

• Nissui Corp
• Alpha Aqua A/S
• Aquaculture Technologies Asia Limited
• Mowi ASA
• Cooke Aquaculture Inc
• P/F Bakkafrost
• Thai Union Group PCL
• Leroy Seafood Group ASA
• Tassal Group Ltd
• Cermaq Group AS

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Aquaculture Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Aquaculture Market, By Environment:

o   Marine Water

o   Fresh Water

o   Brackish Water

• Aquaculture Market, By Fish Type:

o   Carps

o   Mollusks

o   Crustaceans

o   Mackerels

o   Sea Bream

o   Others

• Aquaculture Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Aquaculture Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Aquaculture Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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