North America Aquaculture Market Summary
The North America aquaculture market size was estimated at USD 35,975.5 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 50,463.0 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2025 to 2033. The market is driven by a growing consumer focus on high-quality, protein-rich diets, particularly seafood known for its nutritional and sustainability benefits.
Key Market Trends & Insights
- S. dominated the North America aquaculture market with the largest revenue share of 86.1% in 2024.
- The North America aquaculture market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2025 to 2033.
- By Environment, marine water segment is expected to witness the fastest growth of 4.0% from 2025 to 2033.
- By Fish Species, catfishes segment dominated the North America aquaculture market with a revenue share of 24.6% in 2024.
Market Size & Forecasts
- 2024 Market Size: USD 35,975.5 Million
- 2033 Projected Market Size: USD 50,463.0 Million
- CAGR (2025-2033): 4.0%
Rising health consciousness and shifting toward omega-3-rich species like salmon and trout significantly boosted regional demand. As wild capture fisheries face stagnation due to overfishing and tightening environmental regulations, aquaculture has become a key solution to meet growing seafood demand. Innovations such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), automated feeding technologies, and genetic advancements in broodstock have significantly boosted production efficiency, allowing for consistent, year-round farming in controlled settings.
According to the FAO’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, global per capita seafood consumption more than doubled between 1961 and 2022, reaching 20.7 kg, outpacing population growth. In North America, this figure stands even higher at 23.4 kg/year, reflecting strong consumer preference. Moreover, sustainability is a major demand driver, with aquaculture now accounting for 51% of global aquatic animal production. This marks a fundamental shift in protein sourcing, creating a strategic opportunity for North American producers to meet market expectations for responsibly farmed, traceable, and nutrient-dense seafood.
The rise of land-based and offshore farming systems enables scalable production with reduced environmental impact, drawing strong interest from private investors and public institutions. Opportunities abound in cultivating high-value species such as Atlantic salmon, sea bass, and shellfish, as well as in expanding into seaweed farming and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), offering avenues for product diversification and market differentiation. These aquaculture-derived ingredients are widely used in supplements and fortified foods due to their proven benefits for heart, brain, and immune health. Growing interest in clean-label, sustainable marine products, such as enriched fillets and marine collagen, along with support from initiatives like NOAA’s Sea Grant, is fueling expansion in this space.
Technological advancements, including RAS, smart feeding solutions, and AI-powered monitoring tools, are transforming farm operations by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. The growing shift toward sustainable feed alternatives, such as insect- and algae-based formulations, also supports eco-friendly practices and premium product positioning. Increasing consumer demand for responsibly sourced, high-quality seafood reinforces trends in organic production and eco-certification, further boosting market appeal and investor confidence. In addition, algae farming is gaining momentum due to its broad applications across food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and bioenergy, adding another promising dimension to the sector's growth potential.
However, despite its strong growth potential, the market faces several restraints that could impede its expansion. Complex and stringent regulatory requirements, particularly environmental impact assessments, water usage, and effluent discharge, add to operational costs and administrative burdens. Disease outbreaks and biosecurity threats remain critical, especially in intensive farming systems, posing risks to stock health and farm viability. Moreover, the scarcity of affordable and suitable coastal or inland sites, along with local opposition (NIMBYism), often creates barriers to establishing new aquaculture facilities.
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Market Concentration & Characteristics
The North America aquaculture industry is moderately fragmented, with a few dominant players holding significant market share due to their vertical integration and scale of operations. These leading companies benefit from control over the entire value chain, from hatchery and feed production to growth and processing, which enables cost efficiencies, consistent product quality, and reliable supply. Their integrated operations, strong distribution networks, and advanced technologies allow them to effectively serve key end-use sectors such as retail, foodservice, and export markets. This strategic positioning also supports compliance with stringent regulatory standards and enhances their ability to meet growing consumer demand for sustainable and traceable seafood.
At the same time, emerging aquaculture players in regions such as the U.S. and Canada are steadily increasing their market presence by capitalizing on abundant natural resources, favorable climate conditions, and rising domestic seafood demand. These regional producers are supported by strategic investments in modern hatcheries, feed mills, and land-based or offshore farming systems, often located in coastal and inland aquaculture zones. They focus on cost-effective production and high-demand species such as salmon, trout, tilapia, and shrimp, aimed at local consumption and export markets. This shifting landscape, marked by consolidation among well-established players and regional expansion driven by localized advantages, continues to redefine the competitive structure.
However, the North American aquaculture industry faces several challenges, with one major challenge being rising temperatures, ocean acidification, hypoxia, and extreme weather events that disrupt production, increase mortality, and damage infrastructure. Climate-driven phenomena such as harmful algal blooms, invasive species, and declining oxygen levels reduce yields. At the same time, regulatory shifts, like Canada's planned ban on open-net pens, highlight the industry's urgent need to adapt to escalating environmental risks.
Key North America Aquaculture Company Insights
Some key players operating in the North American market include Cooke Aquaculture Inc. and Mowi (RoyMarine Harvest ASA).
- Cooke Aquaculture Inc., headquartered in New Brunswick, Canada, is a dominant and mature market player. As a vertically integrated global seafood company, Cooke has a strong foothold across the aquaculture value chain-from breeding, hatching, and farming to processing and distribution. The company specializes in a diverse range of species, including Atlantic salmon, sea bass, sea bream, and steelhead trout, farmed in marine, freshwater, and brackish water environments. Cooke’s operations span multiple North American regions, particularly the Atlantic coast, with significant investments in hatcheries, feed mills, and state-of-the-art processing facilities. Cooke's robust infrastructure enables them to maintain consistent product quality, ensure biosecurity, and meet stringent sustainability and traceability standards demanded by retailers and regulators. The company is also a pioneer in sustainable aquaculture practices, actively investing in R&D, environmental monitoring, and innovations such as integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) and selective breeding programs. Cooke continues to expand its market presence through acquisitions and partnerships, further strengthening its leadership in supplying high-quality, responsibly farmed seafood to North American and global markets.
Blue Ridge Aquaculture and Riverence (Clear Springs Foods, Inc.) are emerging market participants.
- Blue Ridge Aquaculture, based in Martinsville, Virginia, is an emerging and innovative market player, strongly focusing on sustainable, land-based fish farming. Recognized as one of the world’s largest indoor recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facilities for tilapia production, the company is steadily expanding its influence within the U.S. market by promoting environmentally responsible and biosecure aquaculture practices. Blue Ridge Aquaculture leverages advanced RAS technology to maintain year-round production under controlled conditions, eliminating the risks associated with open-water farming such as disease transmission, environmental pollution, and weather disruptions. The company’s vertically integrated operations-from hatchery and grow-out to harvest and distribution-ensure consistent quality, traceability, and supply chain efficiency. Blue Ridge also invests in automation, water recycling technologies, and feed optimization to enhance operational sustainability and fish health. Its commitment to innovation and eco-efficiency positions it as a forward-looking partner for retailers and distributors seeking clean-label, domestically sourced, and responsibly farmed seafood. With increasing consumer demand for locally produced, sustainable protein sources, Blue Ridge Aquaculture is well-positioned for accelerated growth and broader market adoption in the North American aquaculture landscape.
Key North America Aquaculture Companies:
- Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
- Eastern Fish Company
- Mowi (RoyMarine Harvest ASA)
- Blue Ridge Aquaculture
- Riverence (Clear Springs Foods, Inc.)
- Taylor Shellfish Farms
- Pacific Seafood
- Blue Circle Foods
- American Seafoods Company
- Atlantic Sapphire
Recent Developments
- In January 2025, Mowi ASA, a global leader in aquaculture with a significant presence in North America, announced it would increase its ownership of Nova Sea AS by acquiring Vigner Olaisen’s This strategic move strengthens Mowi’s position in Northern Norway, a region renowned for salmon farming. While the acquisition is focused on Norwegian operations, it has broader implications for the North American market by bolstering Mowi’s global supply capabilities, improving efficiency, and potentially increasing high-quality, sustainably farmed salmon exports to North America. This aligns with the growing demand for traceable and premium aquaculture products in the U.S. and Canada.
- In October 2024, Eastern Fish, a leading seafood company in North America, introduced its Golden Harvest Dim Sum Line, set to launch in retail stores. This new offer reflects the region’s growing demand for value-added aquaculture products that combine convenience, quality, and authentic flavors. The line features four shrimp-based items Shrimp Wontons, Shrimp Dumpling Trio, Shrimp Shumai, and Shrimp Spring Rolls, crafted for quick preparation through air frying, steaming, or microwaving.
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