Overview
Aquaculture is defined as the production of aquatic animals
and plants under controlled conditions for all or part of
their lifecycle. During the last two decades, the value
of U.S. aquacultural production rose to nearly $1 billion.
Interest in aquacultural production is on the rise because
restrictions on the wild harvest of many seafood species
may diminish wild harvest seafood supplies. ERS provides
background, data, and analysis on the domestic aquaculture
industry and U.S. trade in aquacultural products.
Newsletter
Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook provides a monthly analysis of current developments in the livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries, providing data on animal numbers, meat and egg production, prices, trade, and net returns. Aquaculture products are featured commodities at least twice a year. Historical issues of Aquaculture
Outlook (1989-2006) are also available.
Recommended Readings
Catfish Sales Expected to Decline in 2007 (February 2007) assesses the prospects for the U.S. catfish industry in 2007. With lower grower estimates of inventories at the start of 2007, catfish sales are expected to decline. However, the lower production is expected to keep farm and processor prices at relatively high levels.
U.S. Seafood
Market Shifts to Aquaculture (April 2004) assesses the growing
proportion of total domestic seafood consumption accounted for by
imports. Much of the increase has come from higher imports of foreign
aquacultural products. In general, growing imports has meant lower
prices for domestic consumers but also lower returns for U.S. producers.
Country-of-Origin
Labeling: Theory and Observation (January 2004) examines the
economic rationale behind the various claims about the effect of
country-of-origin labeling and indicates that mandatory country-of-origin
labeling would likely generate more costs than benefits. Voluntary
country-of-origin labeling is an option, but food suppliers have
generally discounted the U.S. label as a quality attribute that
can attract sufficient consumer interest.
Recommended Data
Trade Tables Previously Published in Aquaculture Outlook provide data on U.S. imports and exports of selected seafood products and U.S. imports of Atlantic salmon, shrimp, and tilapia by country.
Related Links
USDA agencies and other organizations contain valuable information
on aquaculture.
See all related links...
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