New report reveals true extent of land-based salmon farming’s massive expansion.
A major new report from Norwegian aquaculture news site iLaks has revealed the ambitious scale of global land-based salmon farming projects, with planned production volumes reaching a staggering 3.5 million tons.
In just three years, this figure has risen by an additional 800,000 tons, indicating a rapid acceleration in the industry’s growth.
The report details the activities of 150 companies worldwide working to establish land-based salmon farms, surpassing the global output from open-sea cages in 2024. While some companies have already begun production, many are still in the early development stages, aiming to bring the industry to scale.
Market potential and divided opinions
The market potential for land-based salmon farming is increasingly drawing attention, although opinions on its ultimate scale remain divided. Norwegian research firm Kontali Analyse projects that overall salmon production could increase by 27% by 2030. This growth, they suggest, will be driven not only by improvements in fish health and strategic investment but also by a major shift towards land-based production, which offers a controlled environment with potentially lower environmental impact.
As companies seek alternatives to traditional sea-based farming, interest in land-based projects continues to surge, positioning this sector as a transformative force within the broader aquaculture industry.
Global and local ambitions
The report underscores the truly global scope of the land-based salmon farming push, with projects underway in countries as diverse as Norway, Canada, the United States, China, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, along with several locations across Europe, South America, and Africa.
Norway is at the forefront of this movement, home to 66 of the 150 companies included in the report—nearly half of the total. These Norwegian companies alone account for more than half of the total planned global production capacity, solidifying the country’s leadership in driving this shift within the aquaculture industry.
Financing bottlenecks
Despite strong interest, most land-based salmon ventures still face major financing hurdles. Although some projects have secured full or partial funding, the majority remain in need of significant investment to advance.
Securing financing, whether through debt or equity, continues to be a critical challenge as these companies strive to evolve from speculative ventures to fully operational industrial enterprises.
The comprehensive iLaks report profiles each of the 150 companies seeking to join what many are calling a “land-based revolution,” offering an in-depth perspective on an industry poised for growth.
The full report is available for purchase here.
