Aquaculture Market Report 2026

The aquaculture market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $270.06 billion in 2025 to $285.37 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing consumption of seafood globally, expansion of traditional aquaculture practices, increasing availability of coastal farming zones, rising use of basic feed and fertilizers in aquaculture, growing participation of small-scale fish farmers.

The aquaculture market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $359.24 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for premium seafood products, expansion of enclosed and recirculating aquaculture systems, increasing commercialization of seaweed applications, growth in sustainable fish farming initiatives, rising focus on aquatic animal health management. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high-value aquatic species, expansion of controlled and intensive aquaculture systems, increasing adoption of nutrient-rich feed and water quality enhancers, growth in seaweed farming for commercial applications, enhanced focus on disease management and biosecurity practices.

The increasing demand for seafood is anticipated to drive the growth of the aquaculture market in the foreseeable future. Seafood encompasses edible aquatic animals from both freshwater and ocean environments, including creatures such as lobsters, mussels, crabs, and various other marine species. This surge in seafood demand plays a pivotal role in elevating the significance of aquaculture in the overall fish supply. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a France-based intergovernmental economic organization, a projected 90% of the fish produced will be consumed by humans, with an expected consumption increase of 16.3% by 2029. Consequently, the growing demand for seafood is poised to be a key driver for the expansion of the aquaculture market.

Leading companies in the aquaculture market are prioritizing technological advancements, such as shrimp counting systems, to enhance operational efficiency and lower production costs. A shrimp counting system employs advanced technology, including sensors, cameras, or automated software, to accurately monitor shrimp populations. It delivers real-time data on growth rates and health, allowing for optimized feeding, harvesting, and overall farm management. For example, in May 2024, HanseGarnelen, a Germany-based shrimp farming facility, launched the SC-4K shrimp counter, developed by Danish company Sincere Aqua, to improve precision in shrimp farming within its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facilities. This innovative system utilizes advanced sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and computer vision to count up to 200,000 shrimp per hour with at least 95% accuracy, significantly reducing labor time and enabling farmers to concentrate on care rather than counting.

In July 2024, Merck Animal Health, a U.S.-based research-driven company specializing in veterinary medicines and services, acquired Elanco's aqua business for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is motivated by the increasing demand for protein and food safety in aquaculture, highlighting the necessity for advanced solutions to ensure the health and welfare of aquatic species. By integrating Elanco's innovative products and expertise, Merck aims to strengthen its position in the aquaculture industry and enhance its offerings in vaccines, treatments, and nutrition for sustainable fish farming. Elanco Animal Health is a U.S.-based company that manufactures medicines and vaccinations for pets and livestock.

Major companies operating in the aquaculture market are Austevoll Seafood ASA, Cermaq ASA, Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd (Nissui), P/F Bakkafrost, Tassal Group Limited, Grieg Seafood ASA, Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Co. Ltd., Cooke Aquaculture Inc., Maruha Nichiro Corporation, Stolt Nielsen Ltd., Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl, Dainichi Corporation, Thai Union Group Plc, Pioneer Group, Dalian Yi Qiao Sea Cucumber Ltd, Dahu Aquaculture Company Limited, Zoneco Group, Shandong Homey Aquatic Development Co. Ltd, Zeal Aqua Ltd, Apex Frozen Foods Ltd, Northeast Nutrition Scotland Limited, George S. Forman Limited, Highland Smoked Salmon (Scotland) Limited, Kames Fish Farming Limited, Offshore Shellfish Limited, Aanderaa A Xylem Brand, Enexio Water Technologies Gmbh, Landing Aquaculture, Aquamaof Aquaculture Technologies Ltd, Holland Aqua B. V, Enpi Lake Fishing S.R.L, Almar Seafood Ltd, Alva Nord Ltd, Pentair Plc, Xylem Inc, Aquaculture System Technologies Llc, CPI Equipment Inc, Lifegard Aquatics, Reef Industries Inc, Aquaculture Of Texas, Blue Ridge Aquaculture Inc, American Abalone Farms Incorporated, Sea Watch International Ltd, Jbs S. A, Inve Aquaculture, Skretting, Jazan Energy And Development Company, Tabuk Fisheries Company, Tharawat Seas, Aquaculture Sharq Farms, Wahat Alreem Fish & Live Animals Trading, Pristine Fish Farm, African Marine Products (Pty) Ltd, Aquanion, Blue Ocean Mussels (Pty) Ltd.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on imported fish, feed ingredients, equipment, and aquaculture inputs have increased production costs across major markets, affecting species such as shrimp, salmon, mollusks, and carp that rely heavily on global supply chains. Regions in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America are most impacted due to their dependence on cross-border trade for fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and specialized equipment. While tariffs elevate operational expenses and disrupt supply continuity, they also provide opportunities for domestic producers to strengthen local production capacity and enhance value-added processing within regional aquaculture industries.

The aquaculture market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aquaculture market statistics, including aquaculture industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an aquaculture market share, detailed aquaculture market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aquaculture industry. This aquaculture market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Aquaculture involves the controlled cultivation of aquatic animals in regulated water environments for profit, leisure, or public use. It is a managed practice aimed at enhancing the production of aquatic creatures. Commonly bred marine species in aquaculture include mollusks, shellfish, prawns, and seaweed.

Key fish types in aquaculture encompass carp, mollusks, crustaceans, mackerel, sea bream, and others. Carp aquaculture, focused on oily freshwater fish, is particularly significant in European and Asian countries due to its rapid growth and high tolerance, making it commercially valuable. Aquaculture is practiced in various environments such as marine water, freshwater, and brackish water, utilizing products such as equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers. The species involved in aquaculture include both aquatic animals and plants, distributed through various channels such as traditional retail, supermarkets, hypermarkets, specialized retailers, online stores, and more.Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the aquaculture market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the aquaculture market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the aquaculture market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The aquaculture market includes revenues earned by entities by mariculture, fish farming, algaculture, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), inland pond culture, recirculating systems, open-net pen and cage systems, and flow-through or raceway systems. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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