Global Aquaculture Market Intelligence Brief (2026–2036)

Market Overview

• Valued at USD 31.94 billion in 2019, projected to grow at 7.1% CAGR through 2036.
• Aquaculture involves farming aquatic species (fish, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic plants) with controlled interventions such as feeding, breeding, and protection.
• Growth driven by:

• Rising urbanization and disposable incomes.
• Increasing demand for protein-rich diets.
• Expansion of sustainable aquaculture practices.
• Technological innovations in breeding and disease management.

Expanded Key Players

• Mowi ASA
• Cermaq Group AS
• Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
• Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd.
• Thai Union Group PCL
• Marine Harvest ASA
• Huon Aquaculture Group Ltd.
• Blue Ridge Aquaculture, Inc.
• Stolt Sea Farm
• Norway Royal Salmon ASA
• Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Co., Ltd.
• AquaChile
• Troutlodge Inc.
• Selonda Aquaculture SA

Segments Analysis

By Culture Environment

• Freshwater
• Marine Water
• Brackish Water

By Species

• Fish (salmon, trout, tilapia, catfish, carp)
• Crustaceans (shrimp, prawns, crabs)
• Mollusks (oysters, mussels, clams)
• Aquatic Plants (seaweed, algae)

By Production System

• Cage Culture
• Pond Culture
• Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
• Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)

By Application

• Human Consumption
• Animal Feed
• Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals
• Cosmetics & Bio-products

Regional Analysis

• Asia-Pacific: Largest market; China, India, and Vietnam dominate due to large-scale production and consumption.
• North America: Growth driven by demand for sustainable seafood and advanced aquaculture technologies.
• Europe: Strong regulatory frameworks and focus on sustainable aquaculture (Norway, Spain, UK).
• Latin America: Chile and Brazil emerging as major exporters of salmon and shrimp.
• Rest of World: Middle East and Africa gradually adopting aquaculture to meet protein demand.

Porter’s Five Forces

1. Threat of New Entrants: Moderate – capital-intensive but demand is rising.
2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: High – dependence on feed and hatchery suppliers.
3. Bargaining Power of Buyers: High – retailers and consumers demand sustainable, traceable products.
4. Threat of Substitutes: Moderate – plant-based proteins and capture fisheries compete.
5. Industry Rivalry: High – fragmented market with global and regional players.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• High protein yield compared to traditional livestock.
• Wide species diversity.
• Strong demand for seafood globally.

Weaknesses

• Disease outbreaks affecting yields.
• Environmental concerns (water pollution, ecosystem disruption).
• High dependency on feed costs.

Opportunities

• Expansion of sustainable aquaculture practices.
• Growth in algae and seaweed farming for nutraceuticals.
• Rising demand for traceable and organic seafood.

Threats

• Climate change impacting ecosystems.
• Regulatory hurdles in developed markets.
• Competition from capture fisheries and alternative proteins.

Trend Analysis

• Sustainable Aquaculture: Eco-friendly practices, reduced antibiotic use.
• Technological Integration: IoT, AI, and blockchain for monitoring and traceability.
• Alternative Feeds: Insect-based and plant-based feeds reducing reliance on fishmeal.
• Seaweed & Algae Farming: Rising demand for nutraceuticals and bio-packaging.
• Export Growth: Asia-Pacific and Latin America expanding global seafood trade.

Drivers & Challenges

Drivers

• Rising global seafood consumption.
• Urbanization and income growth.
• Technological advancements in aquaculture systems.
• Government support and subsidies.

Challenges

• Disease outbreaks and biosecurity risks.
• Environmental sustainability concerns.
• High feed and operational costs.
• Regulatory compliance across regions.

Value Chain Analysis

• Upstream: Hatcheries, feed suppliers, equipment manufacturers.
• Midstream: Aquaculture farms, processors, exporters.
• Downstream: Retailers, restaurants, supermarkets, consumers.
• Support Services: Logistics, certification, sustainability monitoring.

Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders

• Producers: Invest in sustainable aquaculture systems (RAS, IMTA).
• Feed Suppliers: Develop alternative protein sources to reduce costs.
• Investors: Focus on Asia-Pacific and Latin America for high growth potential.
• Policy Makers: Strengthen biosecurity and sustainability regulations.
• Retailers: Promote traceable, eco-friendly seafood to meet consumer demand.