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Aquaculture in Australia - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Jayson Cooke Jayson Cooke Melbourne, Australia Last Updated: October 2024 ANZSIC A0200

Revenue

$2.6bn

2024-25

$2.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

7,255

Businesses

1,016

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Aquaculture in Australia industry analysis

The Aquaculture industry has expanded overall in the past five years but has recently faced numerous challenges related to economic shifts and emerging competition. Reduced disposable incomes and decreasing seafood consumption have impacted performance. Measures like increased cash rates by the Australian government to counter inflation have further curbed consumer spending, amplifying seafood's perceived price premium. Consequently, cost-effective substitutes like poultry are gaining favour, posing a significant hurdle for the industry. Industry-wide revenue has been growing at an average annualised 1.6% over the past five years and is expected to total $2.6 billion in 2024-25, when revenue will dip by an estimated 1.3%.

Trends and Insights

  • The Aquaculture industry has recently grappled with economic challenges and growing competition. The rise of cost-effective substitutes like poultry, spurred by limited disposable incomes, poses a significant industry hurdle.
  • Finfish production accounts for most industry revenue and has climbed in recent years. Despite environmental scrutiny, the salmon and trout sector especially has seen a revenue boost since 2020 resulting from increasing consumer demand and rising prices.
  • Tasmania accounts for over 65% of industry revenue, producing the bulk of Australian Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. Tasmania's isolated coastline, natural environment and cool climate make it the primary business location for Australian aquaculture.
  • Linked to the consumption habits among Australian consumers, the Aquaculture industry is highly competitive. Certain industry segments can leverage trends like protein-rich diets to strategically expand their revenue share.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $2.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Aquaculture flourishes with sustainable farming amid declining wild catches and thriving salmon demand

  • Regulated constraints in the Fishing industry have dictated a reduction in wild-caught seafood volumes. As a result, the focus has shifted towards sustainable farming practices within the Aquaculture industry.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Aquaculture in Australia
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The Aquaculture industry anticipates consistent growth amid dropping wild fish stocks

  • The Aquaculture industry is set to slowly expand over the coming years, thanks to expanding investments towards production capabilities, scaling the industry and making it more competitive.

Biggest companies in the Aquaculture in Australia

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue ($m)
2025
Tassal
569.2
JBS Australia
507.6
Petuna
125.1

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Aquaculture in Australia
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Salmon and trout, Crustaceans and Tuna. Salmon and trout is the largest segment of the Aquaculture in Australia.

Trends and Insights

Regulatory pressure intensifies amid the flourishing salmon and trout farming industry

  • Salmon and trout account for the largest share of industry revenue. Australian salmon farming commenced in the mid-1980s, and over 95% of production occurs in Tasmania.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Industry operators primarily breed and farm finfish, molluscs and crustaceans.

What's included in this industry?

SalmonTroutCrustaceansTunaEdible oystersPearl oystersBarramundiEelSilver perchMolluscs

Companies

TassalJBS AustraliaPetuna

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

FISHERYFISH STOCKOCEAN FISHINGWILD-CAUGHT

Industry Code

ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 0201 - Aquaculture in Australia

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The Aquaculture industry has recently grappled with economic challenges and growing competition. The rise of cost-effective substitutes like poultry, spurred by limited dispo...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Finfish production accounts for most industry revenue and has climbed in recent years. Despite environmental scrutiny, the salmon and trout sector especially has seen a reven...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Tasmania accounts for over 65% of industry revenue, producing the bulk of Australian Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. Tasmania's isolated coastline, natural environment and...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Linked to the consumption habits among Australian consumers, the Aquaculture industry is highly competitive. Certain industry segments can leverage trends like protein-rich d...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Tassal and Huon Aquaculture, the industry's leading player primarily produce Tasmanian Atlantic salmon. Both companies have been acquired by large multinational companies in ...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Tassal's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of JBS Australia's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Petuna's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Tassal, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for JBS Australia, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Petuna, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Aquaculture farms are primarily governed by the authorities of the states and territories in which they operate. However, the Federal Government has implemented parliamentary...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profitability and cost structures across the industry significantly hinge on the company size. Larger establishments, leveraging substantial economies of scale, can reduce pe...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Aquaculture industry in Australia in 2024?

The market size of the Aquaculture industry in Australia is $2.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Aquaculture in Australia industry in 2024?

There are 1,016 businesses in the Aquaculture industry in Australia, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Aquaculture industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Aquaculture industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Aquaculture industry in Australia over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Aquaculture industry in Australia is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Aquaculture market in Australia?

The biggest companies operating in the Aquaculture market in Australia are Tassal, JBS Australia and Petuna

What does the Aquaculture in Australia include?

Salmon and Trout are part of the Aquaculture industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Aquaculture in Australia?

The company holding the most market share in Australia is Tassal.

How competitive is the Aquaculture industry in Australia?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Aquaculture industry in Australia.

Related Industries

Widen you competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Fishing in Australia

Complementors

  • Seafood Processing in Australia
  • Fish and Seafood Wholesaling in Australia
  • Fresh Meat, Fish and Poultry Retailing in Australia

International industries

  • Fish & Seafood Aquaculture in the US
  • Fishing & Seafood Aquaculture in Canada
  • Fishing and Aquaculture in New Zealand
  • Aquaculture in the UK
  • Fish Farming in China

View all industries in Australia

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Australia include:

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Australian Securities & Investments Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.