France

Type of species farmed

The Pacific cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas) represents the largest share of French production. Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are the second and third most important species.

^{Source: 2025, STECF}

Type of production method

In 2023, 82% of the French production occurred in sea and brackish waters and 18% in freshwater. The following main production methods were used: 

• 72% of production: off bottom in sea and brackish water. 
• 12% of production: tanks and raceways in freshwater. 
• 3% of production: on bottom in sea and brackish water. 
• 3% of production: on cages in sea and brackish water (slight portion in freshwater). 
• 0,1% of production: in ponds, almost entirely in freshwater (slight portion in sea and brackish water). 
• 2% of production: in recirculation system in freshwater 

The rest (4%) was farmed using other methods in sea and brackish water for which no detail is available.

^{Source: 2026, EUMOFA Country profiles}

^{Source: 2026, Public statistics on agriculture, food, forestry and fishing, Agreste; 2025, EUMOFA}

Trends (past and future)

• Simplification of administrative procedures 
• Spatial planning 
• Animal health and welfare 
• Environmental performance, 
• Innovation 
• Data collection and communication

^{Source: MNSPA}

Impact of aquaculture in the country’s economy, food market and labour market

• Domestic production of aquatic products covers only a quarter of consumption. 
• French shellfish farming is the second largest in Europe, with an average production of 140,000 tonnes of seafood. It is characterised by a high degree of heterogeneity in terms of farming conditions, both in terms of species (oysters, mussels, clams, etc.) and the diversity of production sites along the French coast. 
• French aquaculture in 2024 shows an overall decline, primarily due to the crisis in the shellfish sector caused by the norovirus outbreak that affected several regions. This also reflects some consumer distrust of established health protocols. Furthermore, oyster consumption has decreased due to the financial crisis and inflation impacting citizens. However, some sectors are dynamic: fish farming (especially salmon) and algae production (spirulina). 
• French fish farming is the third largest producer of freshwater trout in Europe. France also stands out as one of the world's leading caviar producers in the world (with 43 tonnes per year) and as a pioneer in the field of marine farming in Europe, thanks to its mastery of fish farming and fish feed. 
• In recent years, the seaweed cultivation sector, in particular spirulina, is booming. Driven by the growing demand for superfoods and natural foods. 
• These sectors are very dynamic in terms of research and innovation, especially in fish farming. 
• However, despite the potential of these sectors, the development of aquaculture remains limited. The sectors face a lack of attractiveness, linked to difficult working conditions, the lack of image among the population and the low social acceptability of new projects. 
• French aquaculture contribute to the development of the coastline and rural territories, as they provide create jobs that cannot be relocated, within family businesses. 
• Increasing aquaculture production to supply local consumption and an improvement in aquaculture quality.

^{Source: MNSPA; 2026, Public statistics on agriculture, food, forestry and fishing, Agreste; 2025, STECF}

Challenges and opportunities

^{Source: MNSPA}

Employment and number of enterprises

In 2024 there were 3,143 companies employing 16,307 persons (8,081 full time equivalent and 8,226 as temporary workers).

^{Source: 2026, Public statistics on agriculture, food, forestry and fishing, Agreste}

• Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty
• State Secretariat for the Sea 
• General Directory for Maritime Affairs, Fishery and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and the State Secretariat for the Sea. 

• Code de la santé publique (Partie législative). Date of text: 15 June 2000
• Code rural et de la pêche maritime (Partie législative). Date of original text: 2018 (02 September 1979, 2018)  

• Loi n° 2010-874 de modernisation de l'agriculture et de la pêche. Date of original text: 27 July 2010 (01 March 2017) 

• Code de la santé publique (Partie réglementaire). Date of text: 2000
• Code rural et de la pêche maritime (Partie réglementaire). Date of original text: 1979 (02 September 2018)

• From 20 tonnes produced per year, a fish farm falls under the ICPE authorisation regime, and the environmental assessment on a case-by-case basis, involving indispensable environmental procedures.
• Animal health approval

Sources

• EUMOFA Country Profiles
• EUMOFA “The EU Fish Market” 2025 edition
• Statistique publique de l’agriculture, de l’alimentation, de la forêt et de la pêche (Agreste)
• STECF 24-14 - EU Aquaculture