National Production Day: The Untapped Potential of Aquaculture
2026-04-29
Portugal consumes more than 600 thousand tons of fish per year, but produces only around 200 thousand, with aquaculture representing just 3% of that consumption. In a country with one of the largest coastlines in Europe, excellent natural conditions and recognized technical know how, this imbalance is not inevitable but a choice.
Aquaculture plays a strategic role in national production. It strengthens food security, reduces dependence on imports, decreases pressure on wild resources and contributes to decarbonization. However, it remains limited due to lack of space, licensing barriers and the absence of clear targets for the sector.