Total sales of aquaculture products in 2023 were $1.9 billion, an increase of 26% from 2018, according to the 2023 “Census of Aquaculture” released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

In 2023, there were 3,453 aquaculture farms with sales in the U.S., up 18% from 2018. Five states – Mississippi, Washington, Louisiana, Florida and Alabama – accounted for 55% of aquaculture sales and 49% of aquaculture farms in 2023. Food fish and mollusks were the largest product categories for sales, with catfish and oysters the top species.

“The 2023 ‘Census of Aquaculture,’ conducted every five years, expands on the data collected during the 2022 ‘Census of Agriculture’ providing up to date detailed information about the production and marketing practices in the aquaculture industry,” said NASS Administrator Joseph L. Parsons. “These valuable data tell the story of U.S. aquaculture. The information in this 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.”

The 2023 “Census of Aquaculture” provides detailed information about production and methods, surface water acres and sources, sales, point of first sale outlets and aquaculture distributed for restoration, conservation, enhancement or recreational purposes. Data highlights include:

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An aquaculture farm is defined as any place from which $1,000 or more of aquaculture products were produced and sold or distributed for restoration, conservation, enhancement or recreation during the census year. Aquaculture is defined as the farming of aquatic organisms, including baitfish, crustaceans, food fish, mollusks, ornamental fish, sport or game fish and other aquaculture products. Farming involves some form of intervention in the rearing process, such as seeding, stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc. Fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic products caught or harvested by the public from non-controlled waters or beds are considered wild caught and are not included as aquaculture.

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The “Census of Aquaculture” – first conducted in 1998 – is a special study, or follow-on, of the “Census of Agriculture” that expands on the data collected for 2022. The last “Census of Aquaculture” was conducted in 2018. The current study measured production, agricultural practices and marketing practices for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023. To access the 2023 aquaculture results and other agriculture census data, visit www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.

NASS is the federal statistical agency responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture and is committed to providing timely, accurate and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.