Background information
Type of species farmed
The two main species produced in the Danish aquaculture sector are rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and blue mussel (Mytilus spp.).
Other species produced were silver trout (Salvelinus agassizi), sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), Artic char (S. alpinus), (S. alpinus x S. fontinalis), , European eel (Anguilla anguilla), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), yellowtail amberjack (S. dumerili) and sturgeon species (Acipenseridae).
Source: 2024, Danish Statistics, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
Type of production method
In 2023, around 45% of Danish production occurred in freshwater, 51% in marine waters and the rest has been classified under “not specified” for wich no detail is available. The following main production methods were used:
- 39% of production: in recirculation systems, mostly in freshwater (38%) and a small percentage in sea and brackish water and other specified methods (1%).
- 29% of the production: in cages in sea and brackish water.
- 19% of the production: off-bottom.
- The rest was farmed in ponds (5%), in tanks and raceways (2%) and with other methods for which no detail is available (4%).
Sector’s size (production and consumption)
53 thousand Tn; 11.2 million € (2026, Danish Statistics)
Production (2024)
20-25 Kg per capita according to the University of Copenhagen (2025, EUMOFA).
Consumption (2023)
Source: 2026, Danish Statistics; 2025, EUMOFA)
Trends (past and future)
- Aquaculture production in Denmark shows mixed trends across different segments. Mussel farming has grown successfully in both volume and value, but a moratorium on new sites means future expansion is unlikely, which could limit economies of scale and reduce investment. Similarly, sea cage farming is restricted by a moratorium, keeping production stable at around 10–15 thousand tonnes.
- Land-based production has been declining despite regulatory changes aimed at boosting output and is expected to remain stable at about 30 thousand tonnes due to a reduction in the number of farms.
- At the same time, some new land-based farms are experimenting with advanced recirculation systems and new species such as pikeperch, Atlantic salmon, and yellowfin amberjack. These systems offer better environmental control but come with higher operating costs.
Source: 2025, STECF
Impact of aquaculture in the country’s economy, food market and labour market
- Long tradition of aquaculture. Particularly in trout farming, where Denmark is among the EU’s largest producers.
- Aquaculture farmers produce everything from fish eggs and fish to mussels and seaweed. In addition, there is a major downstream industry, including the production of fish feed and water purification technology in land-based fish farming facilities.
- In addition to primary production, the Danish aquaculture sector consists of companies producing fish feed, technology and equipment for the aquaculture sector worldwide.
Source: MNSPA
Challenges and opportunities
- High energy costs: Especially in recirculation systems, where energy use has increased significantly, raising production costs.
- Increase in feed prices: Caused by higher energy costs, affecting the whole sector indirectly.
- Profitability difficulties: Some production systems struggle to generate positive economic results.
- Negative public perception: Especially towards finfish farming, often linked to environmental concerns.
- Lack of consumer knowledge: Many people do not clearly distinguish between wild-caught and farmed fish, leading to misunderstandings.
- Space limitations: Competition with agriculture on land and with tourism and energy sectors at sea.
- Difficulties in obtaining licences: Negative perception and space constraints limit sector expansion.
- Uneven impact of COVID-19: Some companies lost access to traditional markets such as restaurants.
- Market adaptability: Some companies compensated losses by changing sales channels (e.g. supermarkets, frozen or smoked products).
- Recognition of product value: Consumers see aquaculture products as healthy, safe, and high-quality food.
- Environmental benefits of certain productions: Mussel and seaweed farming help improve water quality.
- Relative environmental advantage: Finfish aquaculture can perform better than many land-based animal protein systems.
- Technological innovation: Development of recirculation systems allows better control of production and environmental impact.
- Potential to improve public perception: Through better information and consumer education.
Source: 2025, STECF
Employment and number of enterprises
According to the latest figures for 2024, the Danish aquaculture sector consists of 244 active installations, of which 179 are located on land, while there are 19 marine farms and 46 shellfish farming facilities.
Source: 2024, Danish statistics
Multi-annual National Strategic Plans for the development of sustainable Aquaculture
Relevant Authorities
Applicable Legislation
- The Danish Environmental Protection Act
- The Statutory Order on Environmental Approval Listed Enterprises
- The Environmental Assessment Act
- The Environmental Objectives Act
- Water Planning Act
- The Statutory Order
- Order on requirements for the discharge of certain pollutants into watercourses, lakes, transitional waters, coastal waters and marine waters
- Habitat Statutory Order
- The Monitoring Order
- Decree on the authorisation and operation of aquaculture farms and on the placing on the market of aquatic organisms and their products
- Order on the use if the feed types in saltwater-based fish farming
- The Danish Maritime Spatial Plan
- Order on the establishment and operation of sea farms
- The Fisheries Act
- Marine Strategy Act
- The N Phasing-in Statutory Order
- Ordinance on environmental approval and simultaneous processing of freshwater dams
- Decree-Law on Planning
- Waste Water Statutory Order
- The Fisheries Act
- Decree on the farming of mussels and oysters in the water column
- Order on the culture of mussels and oysters
Applicable Procedures
- Marine fish farms need to apply for an environmental authorization at the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Marine shellfish farms need to apply for a placement authorisation at the Fisheries Agency.
- Land-based fish farmers need to apply for an environmental and placement authorisation at the relevant municipality
National associations and networks
- Dansk Akvakultur
- Danmarks Naturfredningsforening (The Danish society for Nature Conservation)
- Danmarks Sportfiskerforbund
- Foreningen Netværk for Økologisk Akvakultur
Relevant Websites
Contact Details
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark
Elisabeth Bækgaard, Clerk at the Danish Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
- Telephone number: +45 20 36 07 65
Uploads
Summary in English of the "Published National Strategic Plan on Aquaculture" for Denmark