Seafood and Aquaculture Production

World trade in seafood is estimated at more than US$ 100 billion. The major markets are those of Japan, USA and EU, which depend on imports, ranging between 30-60% of their consumption. USA: Consumption per capita is 7 kg, imports about 1.5 million tons per year, valued at almost US$ 6 billion. Consumers expenditure on seafood in the USA is estimated at US$ 26.7 billion. The European Union: Consumption per capita of 17 kg, imports about 5 million tons per year, valued at US$ 11 billion. Japan: the consumption per capita is 40 kg!!

Future world demand for seafood: The increase in world

demand is estimated at 0.5 - 3.0 % per year. On average, this  means additional annual requirements of 650,000 tons in the EU, and 250,000 tons in the USA. By the year 2005 there will be a shortage of about 20 million tons per year, and by 2010 it will increase to 40 million tons per year. This increasing demand can only be satisfied by aquaculture.