Farmed Atlantic salmon has long-transcended the wider seafood category, but its challenges are stacking up

As a food, farmed Atlantic salmon is a special fish. Highly-prized across traditional and new seafood markets, the unwavering growth in consumer demand for salmon has shown little sign of flagging. Its considerable global uptake is largely attributable to its healthy profile, which itself is underpinned by a high protein and omega-3 fatty acid content, as well as being a key source of important vitamins and minerals.

Thanks to a supply that has grown by more than 400% in the past 25 years, farmed Atlantic salmon has grown to be the world’s most widely available salmon product. It’s also one of the top three most popular seafoods in the western world. Consumption has also been rising at a rapid rate in many other regions, as it successfully competes with other proteins, including beef, pork and poultry.