Aquaculture Boom at AquaNor Conference: The Rise of Land-Based Farming

If you’ve noticed a busier atmosphere at this year’s AquaNor conference in Trondheim, it’s largely due to the burgeoning sector of land-based aquaculture. Investment in this innovative industry surged past $1.3 billion in the first half of 2025, with projections suggesting it could exceed $2 billion by year’s end, according to the Land-based Aquaculture Report published by Spheric Research.

Investor Confidence Reborn

Investor interest in land-based aquaculture—a sector once regarded with skepticism—has been revitalized by the promising results from a new generation of producers. Notably, Norway’s Hima Seafood has begun harvesting fish from its trout farm, which has a capacity of 8,000 metric tons per year. Similarly, companies like Danish Salmon and Nordic Aqua Partners are approaching full operational capacity, as reported by RAS consultant Ivar Warrer Hansen.

Supplier Growth and Industry Interest

The influx of investment and early successes has attracted a variety of suppliers, including specialized aquaculture players and companies from related sectors, such as water treatment. The latest edition of the Land-based Aquaculture Report shows a significant increase in the supplier database, growing to 212 companies from just 144 last year.

Geographic Distribution of Suppliers

Western Europe and North America account for over two-thirds of the suppliers in the aquaculture space, with Norway leading the charge with 46 companies, representing 22% of the total. This dominance is attributed to the heavy investments by the domestic salmon farming industry in land-based smolt production and a thriving ecosystem of RAS-focused integrators and engineering firms.

Asian suppliers are still establishing a foothold in land-based aquaculture, but the tides may be turning. China is rapidly emerging as a key player in aquaculture equipment and services, expanding its presence from one supplier last year to at least six today, particularly in filtration and water treatment.

South Korea’s supplier count has also surged, tripling to three firms amidst a wave of RAS investments in recent years.

Supplier Categories and Adaptation

Multi-industry companies that have adapted their offerings for land-based aquaculture now total 90, making up 42% of the supplier pool. Their influence is especially strong in filtration, water treatment, construction, and oxygenation. Companies focusing specifically on RAS technology represent nearly a third of the supplier database, with 68 firms contributing, including 38 integrators offering turnkey facilities.

Additionally, multi-aquaculture suppliers—companies that provide a broader aquaculture portfolio but have clear RAS offerings—comprise 25% of the database, highlighting their vital role in categories like feed and genetics.

The Road Ahead

The increase in suppliers is set to bolster a more resilient supply chain, unlocking numerous benefits for the industry. More competition typically fosters better choices for integrators when designing turnkey facilities, while the adaptation of proven technologies from other industries may reduce the need for overly expensive, specialized solutions.

However, for land-based producers to maintain this momentum, demonstrating the ability to operate profitably at or near full capacity will be crucial in attracting ongoing investment and supplier interest.

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