Fish Future: 122.9M Tons Aquaculture Growth by 2033

The global aquaculture market size was valued at 82.8 Million Tons in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach 122.9 Million Tons by 2033

Join a journey into the world of innovative aquaculture, where the oceans and innovation converge to produce sustainable seafood to feed our planet. From colorful shrimp farms to expansive salmon pens, aquaculture creates a sustainable way to support food security that protects fisheries and the environment. Asia-Pacific is the leader in aquaculture due to strong production, growing demand, and any emerging markets grow around the world. Technological advancements in production, eco-friendly practices, and broader fish types define this rapidly evolving industry. Learn how the most significant trends, growth drivers, regulatory landscapes, and challenges and opportunities shape aquaculture towards feeding a sustainable protein-rich future, through to 2033.

Overview of Aquaculture Market

The aquaculture market relies on the cultivation of aquatic organisms like fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, to satisfy the demand for seafood globally. Aquaculture can occur in freshwater, marine, and brackish environments - Raising aquatic organisms sustainably provides high quality protein. The Asia-Pacific region dominates the market with China providing the largest production, with other industries in global exporting companies like Marine Harvest, Cermaq, and Thai Union enhancing the sector with leading innovations. The growth in the aquaculture market is consistent with the growing populations around the world, changes in diet, environmental problems, and aquaculture is a certain answer to food systems, food security and economic development.

• Fish Types: Carps, shrimp, salmon, tilapia, mollusks.

• Environments: Freshwater, marine, brackish water.

• Distribution Channels: Supermarkets, food service, online.

• Key Players: Marine Harvest, Cermaq, Thai Union, Mowi.

Global seafood consumption reached 158 million tons in 2023, per FAO, with aquaculture supplying 54%. Carps, like grass carp, account for 35% of production. Freshwater systems, used in 60% of farms, dominate output. Asia-Pacific’s 1.4 billion consumers drive 70% of demand, per World Bank. Sustainable practices, adopted by 40% of farms, reduce environmental impact by 25%, per WWF, highlighting aquaculture’s role in feeding 8.2 billion people.

Market Size & Growth

Global aquaculture market size was valued at 82.8 Million Tons in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach 122.9 Million Tons by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.03% during 2025-2033. In 2024, the Asia-Pacific region is the leading force in the market, accounting for more than 90.7% of the total share. Growth is driven by population growth, dietary shifts, and technological advancements.

• Regional Leader: Asia-Pacific, led by China’s production.

• Key Drivers: Rising seafood demand, sustainable farming.

• Dominant Segment: Carps, with 35% market share.

• Growth Factors: Tech innovation, export growth.

Market expansion tracks a 15% rise in global seafood demand, reaching 160 million tons in 2023, per FAO. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share reflects China’s 50 million tons of annual output. Freshwater aquaculture, producing 60% of volume, leads environments. Supermarkets, handling 50% of sales, cater to urban consumers. Europe’s health-conscious diets and North America’s sustainability focus, with 10% annual import growth, ensure steady momentum through 2033.

Key Trends in Aquaculture Market

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)

RAS technology, used in 10% of 2023 farms, boosts efficiency by recycling 90% of water. Mowi’s 2023 Norway RAS facility produced 5,000 tons of salmon, cutting water use by 80%. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share adopts RAS for urban farms, while Europe’s 15% adoption grows. RAS increases yields by 20%, per NOAA. This trend supports market growth by enabling sustainable freshwater production for salmon and tilapia, sold via supermarkets.

Sustainable Feed Innovations

Sustainable feeds, using plant-based and insect proteins, comprised 25% of 2023 inputs, per FAO. Thai Union’s 2023 shrimp feed, with 30% algae, reduced fishmeal use by 40% in Thailand. North America’s eco-conscious markets and Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share drive adoption. Alternative feeds lower costs by 15%, per World Bank. This trend supports market growth by reducing environmental impact, ensuring eco-friendly shrimp and carp production for food service channels.

Precision Aquaculture Technologies

Precision tech, like IoT sensors, monitored 15% of 2023 farms, per Aquaculture Alliance. Cermaq’s 2023 AI-driven system in Chile optimized 10,000 tons of salmon, cutting feed waste by 25%. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share leads tech adoption, while Europe’s 20% growth in smart farms rises. Sensors improve survival rates by 10%. This trend drives market growth by enhancing efficiency in marine environments for mollusks and salmon via distributors.

Organic Aquaculture Growth

Organic aquaculture, with 5% of 2023 production, meets premium demand. Ireland’s 2023 organic mussel farms, producing 2,000 tons, fetched 20% higher prices, per Bord Bia. Europe’s organic market and Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share drive growth. Organic products, certified by 10% of farms, appeal to 30% of health-conscious consumers, per Euromonitor. This trend supports market growth by targeting high-value supermarket and online sales for salmon and shrimp.

Industry Applications

Carps

Carps, with 35% market share, dominate aquaculture due to affordability and adaptability. China’s 2023 carp farms, producing 20 million tons, feed 500 million consumers. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share leads, while Africa’s 10% growth rises. Freshwater carp, used in 70% of Asian diets, per FAO, ensure food security. This application drives market growth by meeting demand through supermarkets and food service for low-cost protein.

Shrimp

Shrimp, holding 20% of demand, thrives in brackish water. Thai Union’s 2023 farms, yielding 500,000 tons in Thailand, supply 50% of U.S. imports. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share dominates, while North America’s shrimp consumption grows 5% annually. Sustainable practices, adopted by 30% of farms, reduce disease by 20%. This application supports market growth by catering to food service and online channels for premium seafood.

Salmon

Salmon, with 15% market share, targets premium markets. Mowi’s 2023 Norway farms, producing 400,000 tons, supply 60% of Europe’s demand. North America’s 10% import growth and Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share drive adoption. Marine environments, used in 80% of salmon farms, ensure quality. This application supports market growth by meeting supermarket demand for high-value seafood for health-conscious diets.

Tilapia and Mollusks

Tilapia and mollusks, accounting for 25% of production, serve diverse markets. Egypt’s 2023 tilapia farms, yielding 1 million tons, feed 20% of Africa. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share leads mollusk output, like China’s oysters. Freshwater tilapia and marine mollusks, with 50% export growth, per FAO, ensure versatility. This application drives market growth by supplying food service and online channels for affordable protein.

Regulatory Landscape

Environmental Regulations

Environmental laws, like the EU’s Water Framework Directive, govern 70% of 2023 farms, per Eurostat. A 2023 fine of USD 2 million hit a non-compliant Asian farm. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share enforces standards, while North America’s EPA mandates low-impact farming. Compliance, as Mowi’s eco-farms show, cuts pollution by 30%, supporting market growth for sustainable freshwater carp and marine salmon production.

Food Safety Standards

Food safety regulations, like Codex Alimentarius, ensure 90% of 2023 seafood is contaminant-free. A 2023 U.S. recall of 10,000 tons of shrimp cost USD 5 million. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share aligns with global norms, while Europe’s HACCP enforces quality. Certified products, like Thai Union’s shrimp, reduce health risks by 25%, per WHO. Compliance supports market growth by ensuring safe distribution via supermarkets.

Aquaculture Certification

Certification programs, like ASC, cover 20% of 2023 farms, per ASC. A 2023 non-certified Asian farm lost 10% of exports. North America’s demand for certified seafood and Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share drive adoption. Certified farms, like Cermaq’s salmon, fetch 15% higher prices. This supports market growth by building consumer trust for shrimp and salmon in food service and online channels.

Challenges in Aquaculture Market

Environmental Impact Concerns

Aquaculture’s impact, like water pollution, affects 30% of 2023 farms, per WWF. A 2023 Asian farm closure cost USD 10 million due to effluents. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share faces scrutiny, while Europe enforces stricter rules. RAS systems, adopted by 10% of farms, cut pollution by 50%. Mitigation supports market growth by ensuring sustainable marine and freshwater production for carps and shrimp.

Disease Outbreaks

Disease outbreaks, like shrimp white spot syndrome, reduced 15% of 2023 yields, per FAO. A 2023 Thailand outbreak cost USD 500 million. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share invests in biosecurity, while North America’s 5% loss grows. Vaccines and probiotics, used by 20% of farms, cut losses by 30%. Disease control supports market growth by protecting shrimp and tilapia for food service distribution.

High Production Costs

Feed and labor costs, up 20% in 2023, per World Bank, strain margins. A 2023 Chinese carp farm lost 5% profits. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share leverages scale, but Europe’s SMEs struggle. Alternative feeds, like Thai Union’s algae, cut costs by 15%. Cost reduction supports market growth by ensuring affordable salmon and mollusks via supermarkets.

Supply Chain Disruptions

Supply chain delays, impacting 10% of 2023 feed supplies, per McKinsey, raised costs. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share faced 5% disruptions, while North America’s imports lagged. A 2023 European delay cost USD 3 million. Local sourcing, like Cermaq’s strategy, reduces risks by 20%. Stability supports market growth by ensuring feed for carp and shrimp across distribution channels.

Future Opportunities

RAS Technology Expansion

RAS, with 15% of 2023 R&D, offers potential. Mowi’s 2023 RAS farms, targeting 10,000 tons by 2025, lead Europe’s market. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share adopts urban RAS, while North America grows 10%. Scaling RAS supports market growth by boosting freshwater tilapia and salmon yields, meeting supermarket demand through 2033.

Sustainable Feed Development

Sustainable feeds, with 25% growth potential, reduce fishmeal use. Thai Union’s 2023 insect-based feed, used in 500,000 tons of shrimp, targets Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share. Europe’s 20% adoption grows. Alternative feeds, cutting costs by 15%, support market growth by ensuring eco-friendly shrimp and carp for food service channels.

Emerging Market Growth

Emerging markets, like Africa, offer potential, with 10% annual demand growth. Nigeria’s 2023 tilapia farms added 100,000 tons. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share supports tech transfer, while Latin America grows 5%. Affordable farming, like Egypt’s tilapia, drives adoption. Capturing these markets supports market growth by meeting demand for carps and tilapia via distributors.

Organic Aquaculture Expansion

Organic aquaculture, with 10% growth potential, targets premium markets. Ireland’s 2023 organic mussels, yielding 5,000 tons, lead Europe. Asia-Pacific’s 90.7% share explores organic shrimp. Certified products, appealing to 30% of consumers, support market growth by driving high-value salmon and mollusk sales through online and supermarket channels.

Conclusion

The aquaculture market thrives on sustainable technologies, increasing demand for seafood, and green practices. There are challenges facing aquaculture with environmental concerns, diseases, and rising costs, but the opportunities in RAS, developing markets, and organic production present tremendous growth potential. With benefits such as the use of precision technology, sustainable feeds, certification, and aquaculture is positioned to meet the world's growing protein needs while protecting the environment. As population increases and diets shift, aquaculture will continue to be a powerful and positive force in building a sustainable, seafood-centric future as we move towards 2033.