The fish farming market - Italy

1.1 Definition and scope of study

The fish farming is one of the branches of aquaculture that refers to the farming of fish in fresh water (pond fish farming), in brackish water (salmon fishing), or in saline water (marine fish farming). There are two main types of fish farming: production in pond and intensive production at artificial pools or in cages. In particular, marine fish farming is mainly developing in the Mediterranean basin, in sea waters. Therefore, the fish farming market can be segmented by environment (freshwater, marine water, and brackish water), or by fish type (fin fish or others) 

The global fish farming market was valued at $301.95 billion in 2020, and it is expected to reach a value of $448.06 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR 5.8%. 

Some key factors identified as promising for the future of the fish farming market include improvements in aquaculture systems, sustainable practices, and species diversification. Italy has about 750 production sites, providing a total of 64 thousand tons per year, and employing around 14 thousand people in the sector. Therefore, fish farming plays a relevant role for the country, contributing to about 40% of national seafood production and about 30% of the demand for fresh seafood. In particular, Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the leading regions for this market, accounting for a total production of 12 thousand tons per year and presenting about 80 production plants between fresh and salt water.

Italy, like Spain and France, concentrates its production mainly on shellfish farming: it is the main producer among European countries of clams of the Ruditapes philippinarum species, with 94.2% in volume and 91.6% in value. It also covers two thirds of the community aquaculture production as far as mussels are concerned and represents 45% of sturgeon production and 20% of rainbow trout.