On June 16, 2026, the United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released its latest report on the State of World Fisheries and
Aquaculture (SOFIA 2026). Published every two years, the report provides the latest data on the sector and highlights five major takeaways.
A New Record for Global Production
Aquaculture Remains the Main Driver of Supply, but production remains heavily concentrated in Asia, which accounts for nearly 90% of global output. South America contributes around 4%, Europe 3% and Africa 2%, while North America and Oceania account for the remainder.
Trade in aquatic products has become one of the pillars of global food trade. In 2024, it reached a record value of $186 billion and involved 230 countries and territories, making it one of the most integrated agricultural markets in the world.
About 36% of global aquatic animal production is traded internationally, highlighting the central role of trade in balancing surplus and deficit regions. The sector accounts for nearly 9% of global agricultural trade excluding forestry, a share comparable to that of some major terrestrial animal protein industries.
However, trade remains deeply uneven. Africa illustrates these imbalances. The continent posts a volume deficit of around 1 million metric tons but a value surplus of $2 billion, supported by exports of high-value products. At the same time, it posts a net protein gain of an estimated 126,000 metric tons, linked to imports of lower-cost but nutrient-rich products.
According to the FAO, the challenge now is to improve traceability, food safety and the efficiency of supply chains so that trade contributes more effectively to food and nutrition security.
Africa Continues to Lag in Access to Aquatic Foods
Africa remains the region where the gap between food needs and the availability of aquatic products is greatest. Although fish accounts for nearly 20% of animal protein consumed on the continent, average availability was just 9.1 kilograms per person in 2024, the lowest level in the world. By comparison, the global average reached 21.3 kilograms per person.
The FAO notes that the continent has significant aquaculture potential that remains largely untapped. Expanding the sector could play a key role in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition. However, realizing that potential will require substantial investment in infrastructure, technology, cold-chain systems and production capacity.
Overall, SOFIA 2026 highlights the paradox of a sector that is expanding rapidly worldwide and has become essential to global food supplies, yet remains marked by persistent imbalances in production, sustainability and access. As aquaculture continues to grow, pressure on natural fish stocks persists and international trade accelerates, the future of the sector will depend on its ability to balance growth, equity and sustainability.
