September 2025
The global aquaculture market size is calculated at USD 310.66 billion in 2024, grew to USD 326.66 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach around USD 513.31 billion by 2034. The market is expanding at a CAGR of 5.15% between 2025 and 2034. The growing consumer demand for seafood, increasing cultivation of aquatic species, and high demand for protein drive the market growth.
Aquaculture market growth is driven by the increasing consumption of seafood, the high need for highly nutritious food, and the development of precision aquaculture. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms like plants, fish, and shellfish and involves processes like harvesting, breeding, & rearing. It consists of diverse species like shrimp, seaweeds, salmon, and oysters. The environments for aquaculture are recirculation systems, ponds, ocean enclosures, and tanks. The benefits of aquaculture are environmental sustainability, food security, and habitat restoration.
Report Attributes | Details |
Market Size in 2025 | USD 326.66 Billion |
Expected Size by 2034 | USD 513.31 Billion |
Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR 5.15% |
Base Year of Estimation | 2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025 - 2034 |
Dominant Region | Asia Pacific |
Segment Covered | By Species Cultured, By Culture Environment, By Farming System, By Feed & Nutrition, By End-Use Application, By Processing & Product Form, By Region |
Key Companies Profiled | Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Bakkafrost, CP Foods (Charoen Pokphand Foods), Alltech Coppens, SalMar, Grieg Seafood, Cermaq, Regal Springs, AquaBounty Technologies, De Heus Animal Nutrition, Lerøy Seafood Group, Tassal Group, Zeigler Bros., AquaGen, Benchmark Holdings |
The market is undergoing key technological shifts driven by the demand for sustainability, optimizing resource use, and enhancing fish growth. One of the most significant transformations is the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance profitability, efficiency, and minimize environmental impact. AI algorithms help in water quality monitoring, automated health monitoring, the reduction of labor, precision feeding, and the early detection of diseases.
Types | Description | Farmed Species | Method of Farming |
Freshwater Aquaculture | The process of aquatic species cultivation in freshwater environments |
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Brackishwater Aquaculture | The cultivation of aquatic species or organisms in a mixture of seawater & freshwater |
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Marine Aquaculture | The cultivation of marine organisms in saltwater environments |
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The growing demand for micronutrients and macronutrients, and increasing awareness about the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, increases demand for seafood. The rise in population and growing awareness about the health benefits of seafood increase demand for controlled production of aquaculture. The strong focus on food security and changing dietary preferences increases demand for seafood.
The preference for tasty meals and the rise in ready-to-eat options increase the purchase of packaged seafood. The strong focus on hair, brain, and skin health, and high consumption of shrimp, tuna, freshwater species, salmon, and other species, increases the development of aquaculture. The growing seafood consumption creates an opportunity for the growth of the market.
Aquaculture causes the environmental issues like hampering the ecosystem by excessive use of antibiotics and chemicals that may limits the expansion of the aquaculture market.
Asia Pacific Aquaculture Market Size, Industry Report 2034
The Asia Pacific aquaculture market size was estimated at USD 217.46 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 362.40 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.24% from 2025 to 2034. Asia Pacific dominated the market with approximately 70% share in 2024.
The vast reserves of water resources, like lakes & rivers, and a favorable climate increase the development of aquaculture. The high demand for protein-rich seafood and the focus on food security increase demand for aquaculture. The increasing consumption of farmed fish and favorable government policies increase the development of aquaculture. The strong presence of advanced aquaculture infrastructure and high production of seafood drives the market growth.
China Aquaculture Market Trends
China is a major contributor to the market. The increasing consumption of fish and a strong focus on food security increase demand for aquaculture. The availability of various species, such as mollusks, fish, and crustaceans, helps the market growth. The growing investment in the aquaculture industry and increasing awareness about healthy food consumption support the overall market growth.
North America Aquaculture Market Trends
North America is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The increasing sourcing of seafood options and the shift towards sustainable feed ingredients increase the development of aquaculture. The high production of trout, catfish, salmon, and shellfish helps market growth. The strong government support through agencies like NOAA and technological innovations like RAS increases the development of aquaculture. The increasing health benefits of seafood and high consumption of seafood support the market growth.
United States Aquaculture Market Trends
The United States is a key contributor to the market. The increasing consumption of seafood and strong government support for aquaculture through initiatives like NOAA’s help the market growth. The strong focus on sustainability and ongoing technological advancements like RAS increases the development of aquaculture. The presence of high-value species like shrimp and salmon drives the overall market growth.
Why Finfish Segment Dominates the Aquaculture Market?
The finfish segment dominated the market with approximately 58% share in 2024. The growing demand for high-quality protein and the increasing need for omega-3 fatty acids increase demand for finfish. The growing consumption of catfish, tilapia, and freshwater carp helps market growth. The increasing advancements in fishing equipment and the high importance of traditional food sources increase demand for finfish. The simple cultivation process and cost-effectiveness drive the market growth.
The crustaceans segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. The high preference for ready-to-eat foods and increasing consumption of seafood products increases demand for crustaceans. The increasing consumption of high-protein content food and the increasing need for omega-3 fatty acids increase demand for crustaceans. The strong focus on the consumption of nutritious food options and increasing health consciousness supports the market growth.
How Marine Segment Held the Largest Share in the Aquaculture Market?
The marine segment held the largest revenue share of approximately 50% in the aquaculture market. The increasing consumption of freshwater aquaculture and the growing benefits of seafood increase demand for marine species. The strong presence of vast water bodies, long coastlines, and vast oceans increases the development of marine farming. The growing availability of marine species like oysters, salmon, and shrimp, and increasing awareness about nutritional benefits, drive the market growth.
The brackish water segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The favorable environmental conditions and the presence of vast untapped resources increase demand for brackish water. The increasing scarcity of freshwater and growing climate change problems increase demand for brackish water. The high profitability of seafood species and large areas of coastal land support the market growth.
Why did Ponds Segment Dominate the Aquaculture Market?
The ponds segment dominated the market with approximately 40% share in 2024. The need for less initial investment and the presence of simple infrastructure increase the development of ponds. The presence of medium and small-scale farmers and the increasing demand for fresh water increase the development of ponds. The ease of management and integration of freshwater with aquaculture drives the market growth.
The RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. The focus on lowering environmental effects and the need to lower disease transmission increases the adoption of RAS. The focus on lowering water consumption and precise control over the environment helps market growth. The increasing consumption of proteins and the growing practices of urban farming support the overall market growth.
How the Compound Aquafeeds Segment Held the Largest Share in the Aquaculture Market?
The compound aquafeeds segment held the largest revenue share of approximately 65% in the market in 2024. The growing demand for micronutrients like vitamins & minerals, and macronutrients like protein & fats, increases demand for compound aquafeeds. The focus on improving overall well-being and the need for optimal digestion increases demand for compound aquafeeds. The increasing consumption of immune boosters, probiotics, & prebiotics, and the adaptation of intensive farming systems, drive the market growth.
The alternative proteins segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The growing scarcity of protein sources and focus on lowering carbon footprint increases demand for alternative proteins. The strong focus on nutritional values and increasing need for feed security increases demand for alternative proteins. The cheap prices and focus on improving the immunity of individuals increase the adoption of alternative proteins, supporting the overall market growth.
Which End-Use Application Segment Dominated the Aquaculture Market?
The human food consumption segment dominated the aquaculture market with approximately 85% share in 2024. The growing food demand and focus on food security increase demand for aquatic food. The increasing need for high-quality protein and the high consumption of convenient foods help the market growth. The increasing availability of food sources and the presence of diverse species like seaweed, fish, & shellfish drive the market growth.
The nutraceuticals & pharma segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. The increasing demand for minerals, amino acids, and vitamins, and the growing need for protein, increases demand for nutraceuticals. The focus on improving animal health and the need to lower reliance on antibiotics increases demand for aquatic pharmaceutical products. The focus on enhancing immunity and sustainable aquaculture practices increases demand for nutraceuticals, supporting the overall market growth.
How the Chilled or Frozen Fillets Segment Held the Largest Share in the Aquaculture Market?
The chilled or frozen fillets segment held the largest revenue share of approximately 60% in the market in 2024. The focus on lowering spoilage and preventing the growth of microorganisms increases demand for chilled fillets. The need for longer-term storage of food products and the rise in easy-to-prepare meals increase demand for frozen fillets. The growing adoption of an urban lifestyle and focus on lowering meal preparation time increases demand for chilled fillets, supporting the overall market growth.
The value-added processed segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The increasing consumption of ready-to-eat seafood and growing health consciousness increase demand for value-added processed food. The growing availability of ready-to-cook options and the focus on extending the life of food products increase demand for value-added processed food. The need to lower post-harvest losses and maintain the quality of food drives the overall market growth.
By Species Cultured
By Culture Environment
By Farming System
By Feed & Nutrition
By End-Use Application
By Processing & Product Form
By Region
September 2025
September 2025
September 2025
September 2025