Global aquaculture production reached a record high, while Chile maintained its position as the leading supplier of salmon to the United States. File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
June 24 (UPI) -- Global aquaculture production reached a record high, while Chile maintained its position as the leading supplier of salmon to the United States and one of the sector's top exporting powers, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
According to the report The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, global fisheries and aquaculture production reached 235 million tons in 2024. For the first time, aquaculture production surpassed 100 million tons of aquatic animals, 89% of which is destined for human consumption and provides at least one-fifth of the animal protein consumed by 3.1 billion people.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said Latin America and the Caribbean account for 15% of global aquatic product exports despite representing 9% of worldwide production, with a total of 13 million tons.
The region exported $27 billion worth of aquatic products, driven mainly by Chilean salmon, anchoveta from Peru and Chile, and Ecuadorian shrimp.
