Philippines is one of top 10 global aquaculture growers: FAO report

The Philippines is one of the top 10 countries in the world that accounted for a chunk of the global aquaculture production in 2022, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 

In the 2024 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sofia), FAO said global fisheries and aquaculture production surged to 223.2 million metric tons (MMT) in 2022, a 4.4-percent increase from the level recorded in 2020. 

FAO said production comprised 185.4 MMT of aquatic animals and 37.8 MMT of algae.

“FAO welcomes the significant achievements thus far, but further transformative and adaptive actions are needed to strengthen the efficiency, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability of aquatic food systems and consolidate their role in addressing food insecurity, poverty alleviation and sustainable governance,” FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said in a statement. 

“That’s why FAO advocates Blue Transformation, to meet the overall requirements of better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.”

The report noted that in 2022 and for the first time in history, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic animals. 

Global aquaculture production reached an unprecedented 130.9 MMT, of which 94.4 MMT are aquatic animals, 51 percent of the total aquatic animal production.

“At present, a small number of countries dominate aquaculture. Ten of them — China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Norway, Egypt, and Chile — produced over 89.8 percent of the total,” FAO said.

However, the UN agency said many low-income countries in Africa and Asia are not using their full potential. 

“Targeted policies, technology transfer, capacity building and responsible investment are crucial to boost sustainable aquaculture where it is most needed, especially in Africa.”

FAO also said global capture fisheries production has remained stable since the late 1980s. In 2022, the sector produced 92.3 MMT, comprising 11.3 MMT from inland and 81 MMT from marine capture. 

“Despite the growth in aquaculture, capture fisheries remain an essential source of aquatic animal production.” 

Of total aquatic animal production, 89 percent was used for direct human consumption, underscoring the critical role of fisheries and aquaculture in maintaining global food security. The rest was destined for indirect or non-food uses, mainly fishmeal and fish oil production. 

“Global apparent consumption of aquatic animal foods reached 162.5 MMT in 2021. This figure has increased at nearly twice the rate of the world population since 1961, with global per capita annual consumption rising from 9.1 kilograms in 1961 to 20.7 kg in 2022.” 

FAO noted that aquatic foods provide high-quality proteins—15 percent of animal proteins and 6 percent of total proteins worldwide—and key nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. In 2021, they contributed at least 20 percent of the per capita protein supply from all animal sources to 3.2 billion people.

The report projected that aquatic animal production will increase by 10 percent by 2032 to reach 205 MMT. Aquaculture expansion and capture fisheries recovery will account for this rise. 

It also noted that apparent consumption will increase by 12 percent to supply on average 21.3 kg per capita in 2032. 

“Rising incomes and urbanization, improvements in post-harvest practices and distribution and dietary trends are expected to drive most of this increase.” ROSE DE LA CRUZ