A recent study by the Latin American Foundation for Fisheries Sustainability (FULASP) highlights the rapid growth of Argentina’s aquaculture industry. Between 2020 and 2023, production increased by 500%, with a corresponding rise in job creation. This sector, crucial for import substitution, is generating significant foreign exchange and employment, particularly in non-Pampean regions.
From January 2020 to December 2023, aquaculture production soared from 2,090 tons to 9,500 tons, reflecting exponential growth. Projections for 2024 estimate a further 20-30% increase, aiming for 12,000 to 13,000 tons. Employment in this sector is expected to surge by 200%, highlighting its economic impact.
Raúl Cereseto, President of FULASP, emphasized Argentina’s vast potential in aquaculture. He noted that the sector has quickly become a vital source of employment and economic development, positioning the country as a key player in global food supply. Key regions for aquaculture include Neuquén, Río Negro, Misiones, Chaco, Corrientes, Buenos Aires, Tierra del Fuego, and Mendoza, cultivating species like Bogas, Carps, Dorados, Mussels, Oysters, Pacú, Ranas, and Surubíes.
In 2024, Argentina aims to boost exports of farmed mussels, with promising trout exports to Japan and the United States. The report also highlights efforts to replace imported Chilean salmon with local trout and to commercialize Buenos Aires-produced oysters.
Globally, over half of the fish consumed comes from aquaculture. If Argentina’s exports achieve 45% of the foreign exchange generated by fish, the sector could significantly exceed the jobs created by traditional fishing. FULASP projects record numbers for 2024 and 2025, potentially positioning Argentina as the fourth fastest-growing aquaculture producer in Latin America, behind Chile, Brazil, and Ecuador.
Cereseto underscored the importance of the National State’s support and its collaboration with producers to maintain this momentum, as aquaculture significantly boosts the national GDP and job creation.
