"Overall, while the sector faced a challenging year, the positive trends and resilience demonstrated across various segments highlight its potential for recovery and long-term growth," BIM said.
Photo: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)
Ireland’s aquaculture industry "demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation last year", navigating economic and environmental challenges while achieving growth in several key areas, according to the Annual Aquaculture Report from Ireland's seafood development agency, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
Drawing on data from Ireland's National Seafood Survey, the report highlights the sector’s economic contributions and workforce demographics, with positive trends pointing to recovery and potential future expansion. In 2023, aquaculture contributed €182 million to Ireland’s economy, supporting 1,961 jobs across the country, with 1,149 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in various production units. The average salary in the sector was €36,500.
The BIM report found that aquaculture producers sold 35,737 tonnes of products at the farmgate in 2023, generating €168 million in sales. Premium-grade oysters, especially popular in The Netherlands, fetched high unit prices, while rope-grown mussels experienced a surge demand during the second quarter, "demonstrating the market’s resilience and the segment’s ability to recover from early setbacks," BIM said.
Meanwhile, employment in suspended mussel culture grew, which BIM says indicates renewed confidence in the sector and investment in workforce development.
Seaweed farming was one of the best-performing segments, showing strong growth in 2023, with an 8% rise in output and an impressive 64% jump in sales value compared with 2022. "These positive developments highlight the sector’s diversification and potential for future growth," BIM stated.
However, overall, national aquaculture output dipped by 20% in volume and 9% in sales value, though the modest sales decline suggests stable or improving unit prices for higher-quality products, BIM noted.
Finfish production in Ireland, the majority of which is salmon farming at sea, fell from 12,409 tonnes to 9,940 tonnes, generating €101 million in 2023. Meanwhile, shellfish production, dominated by oyster and mussel aquaculture, fell from 32,124 tonnes in 2022 to 25,797 tonnes in 2023, generating €67.4 million.
Regional highlights include Donegal in the North, which generated the highest revenue at €41 million, supporting 623 jobs across 62 production units focused on oysters, mussels, and salmon. Carlingford Lough in the Northeast generated €7 million with nearly 100 employees, while the Southeast region contributed €19 million and employed 200 people in 29 units.
Most of Ireland's aquaculture production is exported, although in 2023, 28% of produce was sold within the domestic market, which the BIM says is growing.
Ireland's aquaculture sector as a whole exported 25,249 tonnes of produce worth approximately €127.6 million in 2023, an 11% decrease from the previous year, with the most important export market remaining France, which accounted for 58% of the total export volume.
Other key markets for Irish aquaculture produce are the Netherlands, accounting for 17% of exports in 2023, followed by the UK and other EU member states, accounting for 14%.
The report highlighted key challenges for the sector, particularly for finfish aquaculture. Smolt supply shortages, exacerbated by limited hatchery capacity, rising sea temperatures, and other environmental factors, affected salmon production at sea, resulting in shortages of larger fish later in the year.
Market surpluses early in the year also impacted shellfish sales, particularly for standard-grade oysters in France, while declining water quality affected shellfish meat yield and caused temporary industry shutdowns in Waterford Harbour. Rising operational costs and labour shortages further pressured profit margins across the sector.
However, BIM indicated it remains confident about the outlook for Ireland's aquaculture sector.
"The ability to produce competitive, high-quality products, coupled with investments in human resources and diversification into new segments like seaweed, provides a solid foundation for future progress and sustainability. Overall, while the sector faced a challenging year, the positive trends and resilience demonstrated across various segments highlight its potential for recovery and long-term growth," BIM said.
