Total sales of aquaculture products in the U.S. reached USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.3 billion) in 2018, an increase of 10.5 percent from 2013 figures, according to the latest Census of Aquaculture report.
The report, released in December by United States Department of Agriculture’ s National Agricultural Statistics Service, aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the aquaculture sector at the state and national levels. The report is comprised of information related to production methods, surface water acres and sources, production, sales, point of first sale outlets, and aquaculture distributed for restoration, conservation, enhancement, or recreational purposes.
“The 2018 Census of Aquaculture updates important information about the industry that we last produced in 2013,” NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer said. “These valuable data tell the story of U.S. aquaculture, following and expanding on the Census of Agriculture. The information in the report helps trade associations, governments, agribusinesses, and others learn about aquaculture and make informed decisions that have a direct impact on the future of the industry.”
There were 2,932 aquaculture farms with sales in the United States in 2018, down 5 percent from 2013. Under census guidelines, an aquaculture farm is defined as any place from which USD 1,000 (EUR 895) or more of aquaculture products were produced and sold or distributed for restoration, conservation, enhancement, or recreation during the census year.
Five states — Mississippi, Washington, Louisiana, Virginia, and California — accounted for 51 percent of aquaculture sales and 37 percent of aquaculture farms in 2018. Mississippi led the nation in total aquaculture sales in 2018, with USD 216 million (EUR 193.3 million).
Sales of fish raised for consumption accounted for the most value at USD 716 million (EUR 640 million), but sales were down 2 percent from 2013, according to the report. Catfish came out on top, both in terms of number of farms, at 531, and overall value at USD 366.8 million (EUR 328.3 million), or 51 percent of sales.
Sportfish value is up to USD 39.3 million (EUR 35.1 million) in 2018 from USD 23.8 million (EUR 21.3 million) in 2013, the report found.
The number of baitfish operations only increased by two farms, with value rising to USD 3.77 million (EUR 3.37 million) from USD 29.3 million (EUR 26.2 million) in 2013.
Meanwhile, the number of crustacean operations dipped slightly from 566 in 2013 to 560 in 2018, but value rose over those five years from USD 84.8 million (EUR 75.9 million) to USD 100.3 million (EUR 89.8 million).
Mollusk farms and sales shot up over the census period, from 756 farms with USD 328.5 million (EUR 294.1 million) in sales in 2013 to 884 with USD 441.8 million (EUR 395.5 million) in sales in 2018. Oyster sales, valued at USD 284.9 million (EUR 255 million), accounted for 64 percent of mollusk sales.
The full 2018 census can be viewed online, along with previous census reports and information on the data-gathering process.
Photo courtesy of Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock
