NZ aquaculture growth signals bright future

The figures, released in the Ministry for Primary Industries’ latest ’Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries’ report, underscore what Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones calls a ‘clear signal’ of the sector’s long-term promise.

“This is a sector with potential for massive growth over the next decade,” said Jones. “It’s driven by the hard work and innovation of thousands of New Zealanders who bring our sustainable products, like mussels and salmon, to the world.”

High-value species and rising global demand are key drivers behind the increase. The coalition government has ambitious plans to grow aquaculture exports to NZ$3 billion by 2035, supported by regulatory reform and significant investment in innovation.

“We are super-charging the industry,” said Jones. “We’ve extended marine consents, giving certainty to marine farmers and fast-tracked approvals for open-ocean aquaculture developments.”

Government support includes a NZ$11.72 million investment in a national initiative to expand open-ocean aquaculture, which is seen as a frontier for sustainable growth.

“These results show we are making great progress on the path identified in the New Zealand Aquaculture Development Plan I announced earlier this year,” added Jones. “And I expect to see even more substantial growth in coming years.”

Meanwhile, the broader seafood sector is also on the rise, with export revenue forecast to climb 2% to NZ$2.2 billion. Despite a slight drop in volume, this is buoyed by the highest per-kilogram prices on record.