Report at a Glance
Rapid Growth, Massive Opportunity
Aquaculture has grown 6% annually since 1990, rising from 10% to 59% of global aquatic food production by 2022—now a critical source of protein amid overfished wild stocks.
Environmental Edge
Farmed fish is the most carbon-efficient animal protein, with the lowest GHG emissions per kilogram among animal proteins. Through efficient feed (shifting from fishmeal to plant- and insect-based alternatives), smarter tech (IoT, water monitoring), and circular systems, aquaculture’s footprint remains minimal.
Projected Growth to 2050
- Business-as-usual (BAU): Production to hit ~159 Mt by 2050, growing 1.9% annually.
- Upside scenario: Could reach 255 Mt (3.8% CAGR), with Asia’s share dropping from ~60% to ~40% as Latin America, Africa & new regions expand.
Key Insights
- Global social and economic impact
- BAU yields 8–14 million new jobs by 2050, while Upside brings 13–22 million more—potentially doubling employment in aquaculture.
- $0.5–1.5 Trillion in investment needed
- BAU needs $325–740B in capital (production + logistics), Upside adds another $560–1,300B, totaling ~$885–2T for both combined .
- Feed innovation is mission-critical
- Keeping fishmeal use static will force alternative feed supply to double (BAU) or triple (Upside). This opens major investment paths in insect protein, algae, and other sustainable ingredients.
- Developing regions are next frontier
- Currently, Asia produces ~85% of aquaculture output, with only Chile, Ecuador, and Egypt topping 1 Mt. Upside growth shifts strongly to Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Mexico, and Turkey—a ~34% share of new capacity.
- Finance ecosystem must evolve
- Small producers struggle with financing due to risk aversion and collateral reliance. Blended finance (concessional + guarantees) is essential, unlocking private capital.
- DFIs and MDBs should explicitly include aquaculture in credit-guarantee mechanisms.
- Private investors: Where to look
- Mature markets (Norway, Chile), growing powerhouses (India, Vietnam), and emerging economies (Brazil, Mexico, Turkey) present scalable opportunities.
- Feed producers and tech innovators also offer diversified exposure.
Ten Common Myths About Aquaculture
- Myth 1: Aquaculture is harmful to the environment and causes massive deforestation.
- Reality: Aquaculture no longer causes as much deforestation and shrimp farming in Ecuador thrives within forested mangroves. Sustainable aquaculture practices are designed to minimize environmental impact and help restore ecosystems.
- Myth 2: Farmed fish are less nutritious than wild-caught fish.
- Reality: Farmed fish can be just as nutritious as wild-caught fish (if not tastier), and their diet can be controlled to enhance their nutritional value.
- Myth 3: Aquaculture uses excessive antibiotics.
- Reality: Responsible aquaculture practices use antibiotics sparingly and only, when necessary, with strict regulations and certification standards in place to ensure food safety.
- Myth 4: Aquaculture depletes wild fish stocks.
- Reality: Many aquaculture operations use plantbased feeds or little of sustainably sourced fish meal, reducing pressure on wild fish populations.
- Myth 5: Farmed fish are full of chemicals and contaminants.
- Reality: Regulations and monitoring ensure that farmed fish are safe to eat, with contaminant levels well below safety thresholds.
- Myth 6: Aquaculture is only about fish farming.
- Reality: Aquaculture includes the farming of various aquatic organisms, such as shellfish, seaweed, and crustaceans.
- Myth 7: Aquaculture is a new and unproven industry.
- Reality: Aquaculture has been practiced for thousands of years and has evolved into a sophisticated and scientifically managed industry.
- Myth 8: Aquaculture is not sustainable.
- Reality: Sustainable aquaculture practices are being developed and implemented worldwide, focusing on environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
- Myth 9: Aquaculture produces poor-quality fish in poor conditions and welfare.
- Reality: High-quality standards, animal welfare principles, and best practices in aquaculture ensure that farmed fish are healthy, safe and of good quality.
- Myth 10: Aquaculture is not necessary.
- Reality: Given the growing global demand for seafood and declining wild fish stocks, aquaculture is essential for meeting future food needs sustainably.
Recommendations for Industry Stakeholders
- Policymakers & Public Financiers: Build enabling environments—strategies, R&D support, public–private disease management, and export facilitation.
- Philanthropies & Concessional Lenders: Seed aggregation, de-risking tools, and early-stage sustainable producers.
- Private Sector & Investors: Evaluate opportunities across segments—feed, farm operators, tech—all with risk-mitigation frameworks.
- Tech & Feed Innovators: Prioritize solutions in alternative protein feed, aquaculture monitoring, genetics, and circular systems.
Conclusion
Aquaculture stands out as the fastest-growing animal protein sector with a compelling edge: sustainability, job creation, and vast untapped potential outside Asia. The next 25 years could see $1 T+ in finance, 200+ Mt in output growth, and 20+ M new jobs, driven by innovation and inclusive finance.