Rainbow trout still most popular

Rainbow trout continues to account for the largest share of fish production for consumption, at 8 700 tonnes, which corresponds to almost 90 percent of the total production of fish for consumption. Other common fish species include char, with an estimated production of 1 100 tonnes, and blue mussels, at 2 300 tonnes. The production of crayfish for consumption was estimated at just under 0.5 tonnes.

Restocking production decreased

The production of fish and crayfish for restocking is estimated at just over 800 tonnes, which is 100 tonnes, equivalent to around 10 percent, less than in 2019. Here, too, rainbow trout was the most common species; production of rainbow trout for restocking was estimated at 500 tonnes.

Aquaculture farmers mostly use cage farming

The number of people employed in aquaculture is estimated at 543. Among these, 418 people, equivalent to just over three in four, were paid workers, while the remaining 125 people were unpaid workers. The statistics also show that the largest share of people worked at farms that use cage farming: 285 people, which is more than half of all people employed in aquaculture. This is followed by those working at farms that raise fish in tanks, raceways, or recirculated systems; 116 people, equivalent to one in five.

Operating costs increased

The operating costs of aquaculture are estimated at SEK 417 million, which is an increase of SEK 67 million, equivalent to almost 20 percent, compared with 2019. Operating costs include costs of power, repair and maintenance, feed purchases and living microorganisms, as well as other operating costs. The largest cost item is the purchase of feed: SEK 187 million, equivalent to 45 percent of total operating costs. ‘Other operating costs’ is the item that rose the most, amounting to an estimated SEK 121 million in 2020, compared with SEK 64 million the year before.

Previous publications

Official statistics on aquaculture have been produced yearly since 1983. The reference year 2020 is the first year in which data on social and economic conditions formed part of the official statistics. The results are presented in the Swedish Board of Agriculture database and in statistical reports. These statistics on aquaculture are based on data from a questionnaire sent to all aquaculture enterprises in Sweden.

Aquaculture 2020 (Jordbruksverket.se)