South Korea Aquaculture Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Fish Type (Freshwater Fish, Mollusks, Crustaceans, and Others), By Environment (Fresh Water, Marine Water, Brackish Water), and South Korea Aquaculture Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

South Korea Aquaculture Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The South Korea Aquaculture Market Size was Estimated at USD 3.2 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 5.88% from 2025 to 2035
• The South Korea Aquaculture Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 6.0 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the South Korea Aquaculture Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 6.0 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 5.88% from 2025 to 2035. Some of the main factors propelling the market are rising health consciousness, ongoing support from regulatory bodies, and the growing consumption of seafood.

Market Overview

The aquaculture industry in South Korea includes the regulated rearing of aquatic animals, such as fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and seaweeds, in freshwater, marine, and brackish waters. This industry is essential for supplying the country's seafood needs, improving food security, and lowering dependency on wild fisheries. Additionally, one of the key factors driving the demand for aquaculture in South Korea is the growing consumption of seafood due to people's growing awareness of its health benefits. Lean meat and foods high in protein, such as salmon, squid, mackerels, and sailfin sandfish, are becoming more and more popular. Furthermore, the market is expanding due to the growing aquaculture industry. Additionally, the market is expanding as a result of a number of actions taken by regulatory bodies to support sustainable fish farming practices and increase seafood productivity.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the South Korea aquaculture market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the South Korea aquaculture market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the South Korea aquaculture market.

Driving Factors

The demand for organic food is being drive by the rising incidence of various foodborne illnesses brought on by pathogens found in fish raised conventionally. Consequently, this is driving the nation's market expansion. In addition, major companies in South Korea are implementing cutting-edge technology to keep an eye on the water, assess fish behavior, and oversee facility logistics. Additionally, they are spending a lot of money on research and development (R&D) activities, such as genetically enhancing finfish species, managing fish reproduction, modifying chromosomes, and keeping an eye on parasitic diseases in aquatic animals in both open and offshore waters. Furthermore, a favorable outlook for the market is being created by the rising demand for organic fish oil across various industry verticals, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and nutraceuticals.

Restraining Factors

Increased disease outbreaks and toxic algal blooms are the results of nutrient overloads in coastal waters brought on by intensive finfish farming. Both farmed and wild marine life are impacted by these problems, which are exacerbated by excess nutrients from uneaten feed and fish waste.

Market Segmentation

The South Korea aquaculture market share is classified into fish type and environment.

• The freshwater fish segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea aquaculture market is segmented by fish type into freshwater fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and others. Among these, the freshwater fish segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to high demand, ideal growing conditions, and government support for sustainable aquaculture, freshwater fish farming is a common practice.

• The fresh water segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea aquaculture market is segmented by environment into fresh water, marine water, and brackish water. Among these, the freshwater segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. In South Korea, species like carp, catfish, and tilapia are raised in freshwater aquaculture. Constrained spaces such as ponds and tanks are ideal for these species because they provide benefits like regulated water temperature and quality, which can promote faster growth and higher survival rates.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the South Korea aquaculture market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd.
• Kefico Corporation
• CJ CheilJedang Corporation.
• Nonghyup Feed Inc.
• Seoul Shrimp Co., Ltd.
• Nongwoo Bio Co., Ltd
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In April 2025, an important step towards domestic salmon production has been taken with the opening of South Korea's first land-based salmon farm in Busan. Utilising recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology from the AKVA group, the facility was developed by GS Engineering & Construction and is run by its subsidiary, Eco Aquafarm.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at South Korea, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the South Korea aquaculture market based on the below-mentioned segments:

South Korea Aquaculture Market, By Fish Type

• Freshwater Fish
• Mollusks
• Crustaceans
• Others

South Korea Aquaculture Market, By Environment 

• Fresh Water
• Marine Water
• Brackish Water