28/07/2026
China’s Farmed Fish Industry Hits Steady Growth Driven by Smart Deep-Sea Technology & Green Regulation
Source: Seafood Media Group, July 28, 2026
Official half-year fishery data released by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shows that China’s total aquatic output reached 35.12 million tonnes in the first six months of 2026, with farmed fish and seafood accounting for 31.31 million tonnes, nearly 89% of the national total. Aquaculture contributes 98% of all production growth, firmly maintaining China’s position as the world’s largest aquaculture producer.
Production is split into two major sectors: freshwater aquaculture hit 18.3 million tonnes, up 4.08% year-on-year, covering grass carp, silver carp, tilapia and loach for domestic daily consumption. Marine fish farming reached 13 million tonnes, rising 5.95%, including high-value species such as sea bass, turbot and Atlantic salmon.
A landmark breakthrough reshaping the marine fish sector is large-scale intelligent deep-sea farming equipment. China’s first 100,000-ton mobile salmon farming vessel Su Hai No.1 completed its maiden commercial harvest in Weihai this June. The fully enclosed cold-water tank system solves the long-standing problem of relying on imported salmon, lifting domestic self-sufficiency of premium cold-water fish. Meanwhile, semi-submersible platforms like Shenlan 2 in Qingdao operate year-round, simulating wild seawater environments to raise high-quality grouper and sea bass, with annual output of each single platform hitting 4 million kilograms.
Inland green farming models are also widely promoted nationwide. Rice-fish co-culture in Fujian, Jiangxi and Hunan realizes double harvests of grain and fish, cutting pesticide use and raising farmers’ income. Indoor recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in southern provinces achieve over 90% water recycling, greatly reducing freshwater waste and pollution risks for freshwater fish ponds. New saline-alkali land breeding technology in Shandong turns barren inland land into productive farms for sea fish and shrimp, expanding available breeding space without occupying fertile farmland.
Policy upgrades push the whole industry toward standardized, eco-friendly production. The revised Fisheries Law implemented in May 2026 enforces strict limits on breeding density, antibiotic use and wastewater discharge. Small scattered fish ponds failing environmental inspections will be phased out, accelerating industrial consolidation into large standardized modern farms. All farmed fish for domestic sales and export must pass strict residue testing, boosting the competitiveness of Chinese farmed fish in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and EU markets.
Industry analysts pointed out two core growth drivers for farmed fish. First, domestic consumption demand keeps climbing; frozen pre-cooked fish dishes and hot pot fish fillets have become mainstream consumer goods, driving stable orders for freshwater fish processors. Second, self-developed fry breeding technology reduces reliance on foreign fry supplies, cutting upstream costs for marine fish farms.
Nevertheless, challenges remain. Ocean temperature fluctuations caused by climate change trigger frequent fish diseases in coastal cages, and rising fishmeal feed prices squeeze farming profits. To cope, Chinese fishery research institutes are developing plant-based feed made from seaweed and grain by-products to lower feed costs and carbon emissions.
Looking ahead, China’s farmed fish sector will further expand deep-sea intelligent facilities and ecological circular breeding modes. The country aims to lift the self-sufficiency rate of high-value marine fish to over 50% within three years, while exporting more traceable, eco-certified farmed fish to global markets, consolidating its leading role in the global sustainable aquaculture supply chain.
