The results are in…
And the total sales of U.S. aquaculture products was up 26% from 2018 to 2023, according to the 2023 Census of Aquaculture released by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service earlier this week.
Top five: The top five states accounting for 55% of aquaculture sales and 49% of aquaculture farms in 2023 are Mississippi, Washington, Louisiana, Florida, and Alabama.
And the winner is… Mississippi, which had the most revenue from aquaculture sales at $277M.
An “aquaculture farm,” according to the census, is anywhere where “$1K or more of aquaculture products were produced and sold or distributed for restoration, conservation, enhancement, or recreation during the census year.”
Aquatic organisms include baitfish, crustaceans, food fish, mollusks, ornamental fish, and sport or game fish. And aquaculture farming simply entails having a hand in seeding, stocking, feeding, protecting the fish from predators, etc.
Soundbite: “The information in this report helps trade associations, governments, agribusinesses, and others learn about aquaculture and make decisions that have a direct impact on the future of the industry.” — Joseph L. Parsons, NASS administrator
