New FAO Report: Seafood trade soars to record $184bn, but sustainability gap widens
Aquaculture now provides 53 percent of total aquatic animal production and over 59 percent of aquatic animal food output. PHOTO/FAO.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
Aquatic animal products have reached a new economic peak, with trade soaring to $184 billion and matching the scale of land-based meat markets.
However, the Food and Agriculture organizations of the United Nations FAO’s latest State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture SOFIA 2026 report warns that balancing this booming demand with sustainable and fair ecosystem management remains a critical global challenge.
The report launched on Tuesday at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya – presents updated global fisheries and aquaculture statistics. It highlights how FAO, with members, communities, institutions, industry and partners, is translating its Blue Transformation vision into measurable results.
SOFIA 2026 estimates global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 235 million tonnes in 2024, of which 195 million tonnes aquatic animals, confirming the sector’s expanding role in feeding the world.
While wild fisheries have largely stabilized, reflecting ecological limits and effective management of some fishery stocks, aquatic animal production has continued to grow, averaging 3.2 percent annually since the 1950s.
In particular, in 2024 aquaculture production of aquatic animals surpassed 100 million tonnes for the first time (valued at $371 billion at farm gate). Capture fisheries reached about 92 million tonnes and have remained within the 86–94 million tonnes range since the late 1980s.
INFOGRAPHIC/AEN.
Aquatic animal foods are increasingly central to diets: 89 percent of production of aquatic animals goes to human consumption, supplying at least one-fifth of the animal protein consumption of 3.1 billion people. The sector also supports more than 600 million livelihoods worldwide.
Despite rising availability, benefits remain uneven. Per capita aquatic animal food supply, particularly in Africa, lags well below the global average, underscoring the need for targeted policies.
At the same time, the sector faces growing pressures. Climate change, environmental degradation, economic shocks and geopolitical shifts are affecting performance and sustainability. For example, under high emissions scenarios, exploitable fish biomass is projected to decline by over 10 percent by 2050 in several regions.
The report examines how these pressures will shape the sector, alongside advances in adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
“The report illustrates that, more than ever before, a healthy planet requires a healthy ocean and healthy inland waters,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu wrote in its Foreword. “We need to ensure that all necessary efforts are made to reverse the decline in sustainability and secure the long-term potential of the sector, for generations to come.”
In 2023, the availability of aquatic animal foods reached 171 million tonnes, but its distribution remains uneven. While in Asia the sector provides 26.3 kg per person, the availability in Africa is only 9.1 kg of aquatic animal foods per individual.
INFOGRAPHIC/FAO.
Trade in aquatic products has expanded significantly. Between 1976 and 2024, export value rose more than twenty-threefold (nearly sixfold in real terms), in line with global trade in goods. Growth reflects higher production, improved logistics and processing, competitive pricing and trade liberalization, with products often crossing multiple borders before reaching consumers as part of complex supply chains.
FAO projects continued growth in production, consumption and trade, with total aquatic animal production expected to reach 214 million tonnes by 2034.
FAO works with Members and partners through its Blue Transformation Roadmap 2022-2030 to improve sustainability, productivity and inclusiveness. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has driven concrete action worldwide.
In aquaculture, FAO promotes science-based governance, spatial planning and innovation, including climate-smart and integrated systems such as rice–fish farming, trout production and models combining aquaculture with renewable energy.
In capture fisheries, FAO supports stronger governance, better data and enhanced monitoring and surveillance. It works with regional fishery bodies to manage shared stocks and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, while helping countries implement the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries.
