Aquaculture Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2033

Aquaculture Market Overview

The global aquaculture market was valued at USD 303.40 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach from USD 317.84 billion in 2025 to USD 461.06 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.37% during the forecast period (2025-2033). The increasing demand for seafood, advances in aquaculture technologies, and growing awareness of sustainable food sources are driving the growth of the industry.

Key Market Indicators

• Asia Pacific dominated the aquaculture industry and accounted for a 75.6% share in 2024.
• Based on the environment, freshwater aquaculture led the global market in 2025, driven by carp, tilapia, and catfish farming, while marine and brackish water aquaculture grow with high-value species and shrimp demand.
• Based on fish type, the “others” category dominated the global market in 2025 due to high commercial value and nutritional benefits, followed by mollusks, while mackerels, sea bream, and carps remained popular in specific regions.
• Based on type, fish farming led the market in 2024, with crustaceans second and seaweed rapidly growing.
• Based on end-user, the seafood industry dominated the aquaculture products market in 2024, driven by rising global seafood consumption. The pharmaceutical sector, along with cosmetics and animal feed, is also witnessing strong growth opportunities.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size: USD 303.40 billion
• 2033 Projected Market Size: USD 461.06 billion
• CAGR (2025–2033): 5.37%
• Largest market in 2024: Asia-Pacific
• Fastest-growing region: LAMEA

Aquaculture, usually called aquafarming, is the cultivation of aquatic animals like finfish, carp, mollusks, crabs, and aquatic plants. This farming method comprises interventions in the rearing process, such as frequent stocking, feeding, and protection from predators, to increase productivity. There is a great deal of genetic variation within and between species within the 580 aquaculture species being farmed worldwide. Some farmers in underdeveloped nations and international corporations that can claim ownership of the farmed stock engage in aquaculture. Fish consumption is a component of many people's cultural customs and has an excellent nutritional profile. It is an essential source of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients for human health.

Developed nations can export their farmed fish production to other developed countries, while developing nations can grow their exports by delivering products to developed nations without incurring expensive customs duties. The worldwide food supply security issue, caused by population growth and rising protein demand, drives the global market expansion. In addition, zooplankton, a significant source of proteins, contributes to the expansion of the market. New technological advances in fish and seaweed agriculture also contribute to the growth of aquaculture. The development of inland fish production offers several potentials for the expansion of the industry. In addition, technological developments in fish farming and seaweed cultivation contribute to market expansion.

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Aquaculture Market Driver

The Lifestyle Changes and Technological Advancements in the Field of Aquaculture

As the working population has increased, people have had less time to prepare meals at home. As a result, food and beverage consumption outside the home has increased dramatically over the years. The growing popularity of high-protein diets has prompted an increase in the number of people eating meat and seafood in their diets. This, together with the rise in out-of-home food consumption, has increased the demand for various types of meats and seafood in full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, and other food service forms. Consequently, this propelled the market of aquaculture.

Continuous research and development in the field of aquaculture lead to enhancements in aquaculture manufacturing systems, increasing production efficiency, a rise in consumer product quality, and a more sustainable industry. Recent innovations, such as the improvement of genetics in finfish, the management of fish reproduction, the modification of chromosome sets in shellfish, and the control of parasitic diseases in fish, are the primary factors driving the global market.

Technological advancements in offshore and open ocean aquaculture are anticipated to boost the market further. Long-term success calls for technical robustness, economic feasibility, environmental integrity, and social license, which, when combined, ensure that human well-being and ecological well-being are compatible. Thus, introducing newer aquaculture methods/systems and incorporating integrated fish and animal production techniques are anticipated to propel the global market.

Market Restraint

The Adoption of Veganism

The behavior of withdrawing from animal products such as meat and dairy is referred to as veganism. This viewpoint rejects the idea that animals should be treated as commodities. This eating plan encourages using plant-based milk and vegetables to source various nutrients. The fitness community has been the most receptive to the vegan lifestyle, which has increased in popularity in several countries. Many people have switched to a vegan diet because they believe it offers several health benefits, including protection against cancer, less body fat, and increased energy levels. Veganism is one of the significant constraints placed on the seafood, meat, and dairy industries, and it has been shown to have a detrimental effect on the sales of items containing fish and meat. As a result, the global market is being held back from expanding.

Market Opportunity

The Advent of More Sustainable Technology in Aquaculture

New technologies like recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and Aquaponics (producing both plants and animals) help to boost productivity and decrease water pollution. This can be more advantageous if they are operated by sustainable energy and constructed to reduce water loss due to evaporation. Adopting polyculture aquaculture techniques on a global scale would lessen water pollution and environmental deterioration. Additionally, integrating multi-trophic polyculture technology to reduce organic waste in water and boost fish output creates an opportunity for the global market. The application of genetic concepts to enhance the production of aquatic animals lags far behind that of the plant and livestock industries. The advancement of biotechnology in the aquaculture market results in producing healthy, rapidly growing animals that are beneficial to the environment. 

Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific dominated the aquaculture market with a 75.6% share in 2024 and is expected to maintain its lead, growing at a CAGR of 6.42%. The demand for aquaculture businesses in the Asia-Pacific is driven by population increase, economic expansion, and societal factors like traditional fish consumption patterns. The current level of effective aquaculture technology has contributed to a rise in profitability and is anticipated to continue stimulating the market expansion. Several emerging nations in the Asia-Pacific region have vast water reserves, making fish farming possible.

Countries like Vietnam, China, and Indonesia are experiencing a rapid surge in fish farming because of a rise in per capita disposable expenditures and an increase in the interest of aquaculture titans due to low labor costs and supporting government measures. 

Due to increased local demand for seafood, Australia's aquaculture business is expanding rapidly. Numerous species, including milkfish, tilapia, and carp, are used in aquaculture production in the Philippines. The Philippine government and corporate sector are drafting a national fisheries development strategy, which includes aquaculture, and so improve the market growth.

Lamea Market Trends

LAMEA will hold a share of USD 98,261 million, growing at a CAGR of 5.91%. Changes in the development process and macroeconomic policies that lead to open rivalry in the aquaculture sector in Latin American nations are the driving force behind the expansion of the global market. Future aquaculture development in LAMEA requires careful planning to ensure that accessible resources are utilized effectively. It is necessary to establish small-scale aquaculture to expand the prevalence of such techniques in this region.

Socioeconomic diagnostic initiatives for aquaculture promotion should be regarded as a top priority, with an emphasis on strategies that allow for the full participation of communities in the identification, assessment, and evaluation of aquaculture projects, which is anticipated to stimulate market growth further. 

Moreover, increasing infrastructure and technological development in the Middle East are the primary growth drivers in the LAMEA aquaculture market. Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements have played an extremely vital role in the international commerce of aquaculture products.

Environment Insights

As carp, tilapia, and catfish farming are so common, freshwater aquaculture will continue to be the largest segment in 2025 and account for a majority of world output. Freshwater production is dominated by nations like China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, which are aided by favorable government regulations and a wealth of water resources. In the meantime, the growing demand for high-value species like salmon, sea bream, and tuna contributes to the steady expansion of marine water aquaculture. Southeast Asia and Latin America are major contributors to brackish water aquaculture, which offers prospects as well, especially in shrimp and prawn cultivation.

Fish Type Insights

The “others” category, which includes salmon, tuna, tilapia, catfish, sea bass, and crustaceans like prawns and crabs, dominates the market in 2025, owing to their high commercial value and nutritional benefits. Due to the manufacturing of pearls and the growing need for diets high in protein, mollusks currently have the second-largest share. While mackerels and sea bream are becoming increasingly popular in Europe and the Middle East as a result of shifting nutritional tastes, carps are still essential for Asian nations, especially China and India.

Type Insights

Fish farming leads the market, representing the largest share of aquaculture activities globally. Supported by the rising demand for shrimp in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, crustaceans come in second. Meanwhile, due to its applications in food, medicine, and environmentally friendly packaging, aquatic plants like seaweed are becoming a rapidly expanding subsegment.

End-User Insights

The seafood industry is the dominant consumer of aquaculture products, driven by rising seafood consumption across both developed and developing nations. The pharmaceutical sector is gaining momentum as fish oils, bioactive compounds, and algae-based products are increasingly utilized in nutraceuticals and medicines. Other applications, including cosmetics and animal feed, also present strong growth opportunities during the forecast period.

List of key players in Aquaculture Market

1. Cermaq Group AS 
2. Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
3. Grupo Farallon Aquaculture
4. Leroy Sea Food Group
5. Marine Harvest ASA
6. P/F Bakkafrost
7. Selonda Aquaculture S.A.
8. Stolt Sea Farm
9. Tassal Group Limited
10. Thai Union Group Public Company Limited.

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Recent Developments

• In September 2025, India’s aquaculture sector, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, faced a major setback as U.S. tariffs on shrimp imports led to nearly half of export orders being canceled, causing an estimated $ 3 billion loss and highlighting the vulnerability of the aquaculture market to international trade policies.
• In June 2025, California-based Wildtype launched lab-grown Coho salmon in the U.S., marking a major innovation in the aquaculture market by offering a sustainable, alternative source of seafood that could reduce pressure on traditional fish farming.