The Tunisian government reported that there was a 239 percent increase in new aquaculture investments in 2025, including those targeting both the expansion and renovation of existing farm operations.
According to the latest statistical bulletin from the North African country’s Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency (APIA), the sector experienced an influx of investments worth TND 88.1 million (USD 30.2 million, EUR 26.1 million) last year, which was more than triple the TND 26 million (USD 8.9 million, EUR 7.7 million) secured in 2024.
Of the 2,862 new private investments approved across the agriculture and fisheries sectors in 2025, which were valued at TND 515.3 million (USD 176.5 million, EUR 152.5 million), aquaculture accounted for 17 percent of the total, making it one of the main investment avenues for private entrepreneurs looking to invest in Tunisia last year, according to APIA.
The increase comes as Tunisia is pursuing a multi-pronged aquaculture and fisheries sector policy that includes attracting private investment in farmed fish projects. To accomplish this, the government has planned to subsidize 7 percent to 25 percent of each project, as well as implement tax savings and modern integrated disease management practices. The country also wants to introduce new species into the country’s aquaculture sector, such as shrimp and seaweed.
The investments should help Tunisia progress toward meeting its goal of achieving at least 35,000 metric tons (MT) of aquaculture production by the end of 2030. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tunisian aquaculture production, which accounts for nearly 13 percent of Tunisia’s total seafood output, was estimated at 23,003 MT in 2024, with a projected annual growth rate of approximately 9 percent.
Tunisia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries estimates there are 42 marine farms and 30 freshwater fish operations in the country, producing sea bass, sea bream, meagre, shrimp, shellfish, and bluefin tuna.
These projects may help reduce pressure on wild stocks that are currently strained by overfishing and other forms of illegal fishing activity while meeting an anticipated surge in domestic consumption driven by a thriving tourism industry and prevalence of seafood as a source of protein for local coastal communities.
