US production of farmed seafood is expanding, according to recently published data from the country’s Census of Aquaculture.
The census, collected by USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service on the farmed production of food fish, crustaceans, molluscs, ornamental fish, sportfish, baitfish and other miscellaneous aquaculture indicates that the value of sales and number of aquaculture farms have risen since 2018.
It found the number of aquaculture farms has fluctuated since 1998 but grew from 2,932 in 2018 to 3,453 in 2023 – an 18% increase.
Meanwhile, US aquaculture product sales have shown consistent growth since 2005 and reached US$1.9 billion in 2023. Adjusting for inflation, sales in 2023 were valued at more than $1.96 billion, an increase of 3.8% from 2018.
The 2023 census data revealed that, for the first time in 25 years, both total sales and farm numbers increased relative to the previous census.
In 2023, 73% of the total product sales consisted of fish such as finfish and shellfish, and molluscs such as mussels, octopuses, snails, and slugs.
Recent federal initiatives have stimulated investments in the US aquaculture industry and are expected to further support domestic seafood production.
In the past, the United States has relied heavily on imports to meet consumption demands. The latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated that imports accounted for 75 to 90% of all seafood consumed domestically.
