The EU’s Course on Aquaculture: A Revolution in Fish, Shellfish, and Algae
By The European Commission has decided to intensify efforts to develop aquaculture food production. European Union producers are far behind those in Asia. It’s important to note that, as of 2022, more than half of the fish and other species consumed by humans will come from aquaculture. Over the past decades, aquaculture—the farming of fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and other aquatic organisms—has been the fastest-growing sector of food production in the world. This growth is expected to continue, as aquatic flora and fauna are currently the healthiest food resources, the European Commission emphasizes.
According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), global aquaculture production in 2022 reached a record level of 130.9 million tons. This represented a further increase of 8.1 million tonnes compared to 122.8 million tonnes in 2020. The estimated value of production was $312.8 billion in 2022, an increase of $34.2 billion compared to $278.5 billion in 2020.
This included 94.4 million tonnes (live weight equivalent; valued at $295.7 billion) of aquatic animals and 36.5 million tonnes (wet weight; valued at $17 billion) of algae (seaweed and microalgae), as well as a further 2,700 tonnes (valued at $138.5 million) of shells and pearls.
This figure was revised in a statement by the European Fishmeal and Fish Oil Producers, which calculated that “global seafood production is expected to increase again in 2025.” Total fish and aquaculture production is estimated to reach 197 million tons. This represents a 1.7% increase—or 3.3 million tons—compared to 2024.
Exports to global markets are also projected to reach $193.3 billion. The supply of fish and other seafood products will increase by 5% compared to 2024. The European Fishmeal and Fish Oil Producers (EFFOP) states that “This underscores the sector’s crucial role in global food systems and international trade.”
Consumers Drive Demand
“Most of the growth is driven by the increase in seafood consumption directly for human consumption, which is expected to reach 176 million tons (+1.6%) in 2025,” EFFOP reports. Importantly, demand for seafood used in feed production will grow even faster than for retail and consumer needs. It is expected to reach 17.4 million tons, a 5.8% increase.
EFFOP emphasizes that “Aquaculture is currently the driving force of global supply” for our tables and for industry. The latest Food Outlook report indicates that aquaculture will become the main driver of market growth on both the production and demand sides. At the end of 2025, production was estimated to reach 104.1 million tons in 2025, increasing by 2.7% compared to 2024 supplies.
It was found that tilapia production growth slowed in 2025. This shortfall will be offset by an increase in supply from other major farmed species, including carp, salmon, catfish, and shrimp. The FAO confirms that this is a continuation of a long-term trend in which aquaculture has overtaken fisheries as the dominant source of aquaculture food for human consumption.
Fish Catches in Decline
“Fish catches remain stable despite resource constraints,” EFFOP analysts note. Fish supplies from fisheries are forecast to remain relatively stable. 92.9 million tons of fish were predicted to be harvested in 2025. This represented a slight increase in supply of 0.7%. However, the FAO notes that fish supplies will not be able to increase.
It suggests “further reductions are necessary in several key stocks, such as cod, haddock, and mackerel,” citing the latest recommendations and scientific data. These scientific recommendations to reduce fishermen’s activity are expected to “reduce catches in these fisheries, contributing to reduced supplies of some fish.” These reductions are already reflected in price fluctuations in the FAO Fish Price Index. Fish supplies from fisheries experienced some of the largest increases in 2025, EFFOP notes.
In its “New Strategy for the Development of Aquaculture,” the European Commission recognizes that “Despite all the benefits that aquaculture brings, the production and consumption of its products in the European Union is not growing at the same pace as in other regions of the world.” Referring to data from 2018, it states that aquaculture products accounted for only 25% of the total amount of fish and seafood consumed by the average EU citizen. By contrast, aquaculture products produced in the EU account for only 10% of EU seafood consumption and less than 2% of global production.
A New Strategy – Exploiting the Potential
Not all countries are capitalizing on the potential of aquaculture production of fish, mussels, oysters, and algae. Data from agriculture ministries show that nearly 70% of EU aquaculture production is concentrated in four Member States. This type of activity predominates in Spain, France, Italy, and Greece.
In terms of production volume by group of aquatic organisms, more than half of production is made up of aquatic invertebrates, primarily mollusks. Marine fish and freshwater fish each account for approximately 20% of production. The vast majority of EU aquaculture production is mussels, oysters, and other bivalves. Among fish, trout, sea bream, sea bass, and carp dominate the supply market.
The European Commission views food production through aquaculture as a significant source of economic activity and employment. It is estimated that the EU aquaculture sector supports 15,000 enterprises. Most companies operating in this sector are micro-enterprises employing up to 10 people. Nearly 70,000 people were employed in aquaculture in the EU in 2018. It is emphasized that in many cases these are “family farms, often using extensive production methods and systems.”
Time for EU Aquaculture
The EU is heavily dependent on imports of food produced in aquatic environments. EU countries import over 70% of the fish and seafood consumed within their borders. This justifies the European Commission’s commitment to “supporting further growth and greater diversification of aquaculture production in the EU in a way that simultaneously protects the environment, creates more jobs, and contributes to economic development in coastal and rural areas.”
As a result, a package of new guidelines has been adopted, focusing on “Facilitating access to space and water to enable the further development of aquaculture in the EU.” One of the most important actions will be to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens associated with approving the establishment of new aquaculture farms.
Support will be provided for the gradual reduction of aquaculture’s environmental impact and the promotion of types of aquaculture that provide the greatest environmental and climate benefits. Improvements will be made to the methods and measures used regarding health and well-being of farms.
European governments should prepare aquaculture operations for ongoing climate change and utilize aquaculture’s potential to mitigate the effects of climate change. Actions are also planned to promote demand by “providing consumers and citizens with more reliable information about aquaculture in the EU.” Scientific research and production diversification will be promoted to expand the range of aquaculture products, particularly by promoting the production of new, promising species.
