Mediterranean Aquaculture Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Environment (Marine Water, Fresh Water, Brackish Water), By Species (Salmon, Molluscs, Carps, Crustaceans, Trout, Milkfish, Mackerel, Seabass, Sea bream, Others), and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Mediterranean Aquaculture Market size was valued at US$ XX in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ XX million by 2031 at a CAGR of XX% from 2025-2031. Mediterranean aquaculture market is a term used to describe the industry engaged in the cultivation of aquatic animals mainly fish and shellfish within the Mediterranean Sea basin.

The demand for aquaculture in the Mediterranean is being driven by improving seafood consumption, growing health awareness, and active government assistance in helping coastal countries develop sustainable aquaculture practices. Advances in farming systems, enhanced feed efficiency, and widening international trade are also boosting expansion. Yet the market is subject to restraint in the form of environmental issues due to water contamination and habitat destruction, regulatory issues across various jurisdictions, and exposure to climatic impacts such as increased sea temperatures and weather events. Fluctuating input prices and disease outbreaks amongst farmed animals also present operational and financial challenges for producers.

Facts & Figures

• Production Volume: The Mediterranean region produces approximately 2.4 million tonnes of fish and shellfish through aquaculture, with marine fish accounting for about 43% of total marine production in the region.
• Dominant Species: Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) are the most commonly farmed species, contributing significantly to both volume and value. In 2019, seabream production alone reached 464,000 tonnes.
• Species Composition: Finfish dominate the sector, making up 83% of production, while molluscs represent around 16%.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, Aqua Bridge Group, a Dubai-based firm, acquired the Greek operations of Avramar, one of the region’s largest aquaculture producers. This move followed Avramar’s financial struggles and aims to stabilize operations and introduce innovation in Greek aquaculture.
• In June 2025, Seafood Legacy announced plans to construct Galicia’s first salmon farming facility in Burela, Spain, by the end of the year. The project is expected to create up to 100 new jobs and marks a significant investment in expanding aquaculture capacity in the region.

Mediterranean Aquaculture Market Segmentation

Based on the environment

• Marine water
• Freshwater
• Brackish water systems

Sea water aquaculture dominates the Mediterranean aquaculture sector, where the majority of the volume and majority of the value of production. It involves predominately culture of high-value finfish such as gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), each of which accounts for over 95% of world production majority of which is produced in Mediterranean countries. Marine aquaculture is complemented by the geographical benefit of the region's coastline, developed infrastructure, and strong export demand in Middle Eastern and European nations. Turkey, Greece, and Egypt dominate production in marine aquaculture with their vertically integrated operations, government assistance, and innovations in offshore cage systems. Despite the environmental concerns such as nutrient releases and habitat disturbance, the industry continues to grow because of technological advances, eco-certification programs, and rising consumer demand for traceable, sustainably sourced seafood.

Based on the species

• Seabass
• Seabream
• Salmon
• Molluscs
• Carps
• Crustaceans
• Trout
• Milkfish
• Mackerel
• Others

Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) are one of the flagship species of Mediterranean aquaculture, with high market price, flavorful taste, and tolerance to marine cage culture. They are a significant share of Mediterranean finfish production, particularly in Greece, Turkey, and Spain. Seabass culture has benefited from three decades of selective breeding for faster growth rate, disease resistance, and feed efficiency. The species is flourishing in semi-offshore and offshore systems, and its production rests on strong hatchery and feed value chains. With strong demand in domestic and overseas markets both especially in the Middle East and Europe—seabass continues to be a cornerstone of Mediterranean aquaculture economies. Efforts at traceability and sustainability certification are also making it more popular among environmentally conscious and health-conscious consumers.