Market Overview:

The global aquaculture market size was valued at USD 563.31 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 607.13 billion in 2025 to USD 1,003.70 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.45% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the aquaculture market with a market share of 63.25% in 2024.

List of Key Aquaculture Companies Profiled in the Report

• Nireus SA, Ltd. (Greece)
• Thai Union Group PCL (Thailand)
• MOWI ASA (Norway)
• Cermaq Group AS (Norway)
• SalMar ASA (Norway)
• Norway Royal Salmon ASA (Norway)
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation (Japan)
• Kyokuyo Co., Ltd. (Japan)
• Stoly Sea Farm SA (Spain)
• Cooke Aquaculture Inc. (Canada)

The Unstoppable Tides of Growth

Several key factors are propelling the aquaculture industry forward:

1. Surging Demand for Protein: As developing nations prosper, diets are shifting toward higher-quality protein sources. Fish and shellfish are recognized for their health benefits—rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and lean protein—making them a preferred choice for health-conscious consumers worldwide.
2. The Limits of Wild Fisheries: The ocean is not an infinite resource. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 90% of global marine fish stocks are now fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted. Aquaculture is no longer just a supplement to wild catch; it is the essential solution to fill the ever-widening gap between supply and demand.
3. Technological Leaps: Modern aquaculture is a far cry from simple fishponds. The industry is rapidly adopting cutting-edge technology:
• Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): These land-based, closed-loop systems filter and recycle water, allowing fish to be farmed anywhere, from arid deserts to urban centers. They dramatically reduce water usage, prevent escapes, and minimize the risk of disease transfer to wild populations.
• AI and IoT: Automated feeders use artificial intelligence to dispense the precise amount of food needed, reducing waste and cost. Submersible drones and sensors monitor water quality, oxygen levels, and fish health in real-time, enabling farmers to act proactively.
• Advanced Genetics: Selective breeding programs are developing fish stocks that are more disease-resistant, grow faster, and are more efficient at converting feed into protein.

Source: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/aquaculture-market-102100

Navigating the Challenges

Despite its promise, the aquaculture industry faces significant hurdles that it must overcome to ensure its long-term viability and earn public trust.

• Environmental Impact: Traditional net-pen aquaculture in coastal areas has been criticized for issues like localized pollution from fish waste, the potential for disease to spread to wild stocks, and the escape of farmed species that can disrupt local ecosystems.
• Dependence on Fishmeal: A significant portion of feed for carnivorous species like salmon and shrimp is made from fishmeal and fish oil derived from wild-caught forage fish. This creates a problematic dependency on the very wild fisheries that aquaculture is meant to relieve.
• Disease Management: Like any form of farming, high-density aquaculture operations are vulnerable to disease outbreaks, which can lead to massive stock losses and the controversial use of antibiotics.

The Future is Sustainable and Smart

The good news is that the industry is actively innovating to solve these challenges. The future of aquaculture is being built on a foundation of sustainability and efficiency.

• Alternative Feeds: The quest for a fish-free fish food is on. Companies are developing commercially viable feeds based on algae, insects, and single-cell proteins, drastically reducing the reliance on marine resources.
• Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): This ingenious approach mimics a natural ecosystem. The waste produced by a primary species (like finfish) becomes food for other species (like shellfish and seaweed) that are farmed alongside them. This creates a circular system that cleans the water while producing multiple valuable crops.
• Offshore and Land-Based Expansion: By moving operations further offshore into stronger currents or entirely onto land with RAS technology, the industry is minimizing its impact on sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Conclusion: A Wave of Opportunity

The aquaculture market is at a pivotal moment. It holds the key to providing nutritious, high-quality protein for a growing planet while alleviating pressure on our strained oceans. The journey is not without its challenges, but through relentless innovation in technology, feed, and sustainable practices, the Blue Revolution is well underway. The future of food isn’t just on land; it’s being cultivated in the water, promising a more secure and sustainable food system for generations to come.

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• June 2025: Australis Aquaculture, one of the leaders in sustainable ocean-farmed barramundi, constructed a new state-of-the-art processing facility in Vietnam. The new facility would significantly enhance productivity and its operations' sustainability, efficiency, and quality.
• May 2025: Corboin N.V., a Dutch food and bio-chemicals company, partnered with Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) as an associate member, focusing on its commitment to responsible aquaculture and helping advance SSP’s vision of a cleaner, more sustainable shrimp industry.