How Technology and Sustainability Will Drive the UK Aquaculture Market to 2034

Market Overview

The UK Aquaculture Market reached a size of 2.84 Million Tons in 2025 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.96% to reach 4.03 Million Tons by 2034. This growth is fueled by rising health consciousness among consumers seeking protein-rich and sustainable food sources, strong government support initiatives like the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, and advancements in recirculating aquaculture systems and precision farming techniques, which bolster production efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Study Assumption Years

• Base Year: 2025
• Historical Year/Period: 2020-2025
• Forecast Year/Period: 2026-2034

UK Aquaculture Market Key Takeaways

• Market Size: 2.84 Million Tons in 2025
• CAGR: 3.96% from 2026-2034
• Forecast Period: 2026-2034
• Freshwater fish dominated the market with a 46.24% share in 2025, driven by trout farming, lower production costs, and strong preference for locally farmed species.
• Fresh water environment led with 46.22% market share in 2025 owing to abundant resources and established farming infrastructure.
• Traditional retail had the largest distribution channel share at 32.06% in 2025, favored for product quality and personalized service.
• Scotland is a key production hub, especially for Atlantic salmon which grew 27% to 192,000 tonnes in 2024.
• Investment in sustainable technologies like RAS and precision farming is positioning the UK as a leader in responsible aquaculture.

Sample Request Link: https://www.imarcgroup.com/uk-aquaculture-market/requestsample

Market Growth Factors

Consumer health awareness and demand for protein-rich food offerings are the main drivers for the growth of the aquaculture sector in the United Kingdom. Generally, fish is being consumed more by older consumers as it is a good source of omega-3, high quality proteins, and vitamins. Product sales improve due to health promotion efforts, studies that focus on cardiovascular and cognitive health benefits, and increased consumption of seafood by homes and foodservice, including the use of certified seafood.

Government invests in and supports policy through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. Scotland plans for production of 350,000 t of annual salmon by 2030. A goal exists for producing 21,000 t of shellfish. These provide funding and research support with a supportive political and regulatory environment. These actions enabled industry growth. Industry, academia, and government jointly sustain, keep fish healthy, and develop the workforce.

Technology innovates to potentially promote sustainability. Recirculating aquaculture systems used inland use less water They prevent introduction of pollutants and pathogens from marine systems. With precision aquaculture, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things sensors and automated feeding optimize production efficiencies and fish health. The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre drives and supports advances in order to improve welfare through the aquaculture sector.

Market Segmentation

Fish Type:

• Freshwater Fish: Holds 46.24% of the market in 2025, supported by established trout and carp farming infrastructure, lower operational complexity than marine aquaculture, and strong domestic demand. Advanced recirculating aquaculture systems enable year-round production with minimized environmental impact and better growth consistency.

Environment:

• Fresh Water: Dominates with a 46.22% share in 2025 due to abundant natural water bodies and pond systems. Includes traditional flow-through and advanced recirculating facilities. Scotland produced 44.6 million smolts in 2024 critical for salmon farming. The sector benefits from lower regulatory constraints and £4.6 Million funding for research addressing disease and welfare improvements.

Distribution Channel:

• Traditional Retail: Largest segment with 32.06% market share in 2025. Features independent fishmongers and markets providing freshness guarantees, personalized expertise, and premium quality. UK retail seafood sales exceeded £4.65 Billion in 2024, with chilled products accounting for 62% of value, highlighting preference for fresh aquaculture through trusted retailers. These channels maintain shorter supply chains supporting regional producers.

Regional Insights

Scotland stands out as the dominant region in the UK aquaculture market, significantly supported by its Atlantic salmon production which reached 192,000 tonnes in 2024, a 27% increase over the previous year. Scottish salmon holds the position of the UK's leading food export with record-breaking 2024 export values, reinforcing its premium reputation. The region's aquaculture sector contributes substantially to the broader Scottish economy and employment across rural communities.

Recent Developments & News

• In November 2024, Three-Sixty Aquaculture secured a £3.5 Million Series A funding round led by PrimeStar Industries to expand its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) based prawn farming facility in Neath, Wales. This investment aims to commercialize the UK's first sushi-grade prawn farm with plans to scale production to over 2,000 tonnes annually, marking a significant achievement in RAS technology application for aquaculture in the UK.

Key Players

• Three-Sixty Aquaculture
• PrimeStar Industries

Customization Note

If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

Request Customization:- https://www.imarcgroup.com/request?type=report&id=41383&flag=E

About Us

IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that helps the world’s most ambitious changemakers to create a lasting impact. The company provides a comprehensive suite of market entry and expansion services including thorough market assessment, feasibility studies, company incorporation assistance, factory setup support, regulatory approvals and licensing navigation, branding, marketing and sales strategies, competitive landscape and benchmarking analyses, pricing and cost research, and procurement research.

Contact Us

IMARC Group,

134 N 4th St. Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA

Email: sales@imarcgroup.com

Tel No: (D) +91 120 433 0800

United States: +1-201971-6302