Greece

Type of species farmed

The species with the highest production in 2024 were gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and mussel (Mytilus spp.). Other species were meagre (Argyrosomus regius) and red porgy (Pagrus pagrus).

^{Sources: 2026, Hellenic Statistical Authority, ELSTAT}

Type of production method

According to Eurostat, in 2023, 98% of Greek production occurred in sea and brackish waters (almost entirely in marine waters) and the rest in freshwater. The main production method used was cages and tanks for fish and off bottom for bivalve molluscs, followed by other methods for which no detail is available.

^{Sources: 2026, Hellenic Statistical Authority, ELSTAT & EUMOFA Country profiles}

Trends (past and future)

• Stable aquaculture production with slight growth in volume but pressure on revenues. 
• Strong dominance of seabass and seabream production. 
• High market concentration: a small number of large companies generate most sales.
• Increasing consolidation, with companies operating multiple farming units. 
• Expansion of processing activities (e.g. filleting, frozen products) since COVID-19. 
• Growth in technological adoption, especially in larger companies. 
• Increasing employment, particularly in specialized and technical roles.

^{Source: 2025, STECF}

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

• A small number of large companies dominate the sector and generate most of the sales value, mainly from seabass and seabream. 
• The marine fish segment is undergoing restructuring, with fewer enterprises due to mergers and acquisitions. 
• Freshwater aquaculture remains relatively stable, with growth driven by small family trout farms. 
• The shellfish sector is expanding in number of enterprises, partly due to regulatory changes requiring mussel farm relocation. 
• Employment is increasing across all segments. 
• The marine sector accounts for the majority of jobs, while freshwater shows the highest growth. 
• Overall trend: sector consolidation alongside rising employment.

^{Source: 2025, STCEF}

Challenges and opportunities

^{Source: 2025, STECF}

Employment and number of enterprises

A total of 12,088 active facilities in 2024 with 3,741 employees (3,385 permanent and 356 temporary staff).

^{Source: 2026, Hellenic Statistical Authority, ELSTAT}

(Source: http://www.alieia.minagric.gr/node/30 and https://www.et.gr )

• Law No.4282/2014 “Development of aquaculture and other provisions” (Government Gazette, Series A, No 182)
• Law No.4492/2017 “Handling and marketing of fresh and perishable agricultural products and other provisions” (Government Gazette, Series A, No 156)
• Law No.4711/2020 “Simplification of framework for financial activities under the responsibility of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and other provisions” (Government Gazette, Series A, No 145)
• Law No.4691/2020 “Arrangements under the competence of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food for the upgrading and modernization of the agricultural sector and other provisions.” (Government Gazette, Series A, No 108)
• Ministerial Decision No.1333/153983/2018 “Replacement of No.165837/17-12-2009 and 3702/76929/20-6-2013 ministerial decisions for the regulation of implementation issues of Regulation (EC) 708/2007 of the Council "Use in aquaculture of foreign and locally absent species ' as amended, supplemented and in effect.“ (Government Gazette, Series B, No 5158)
• N.D.420/70 "Fisheries Code" (Government Gazette, Series A, No27) 
• Law No.1740/1987 “Utilization and protection of coral formations, fish breeding waters, aquaculture and other provisions” (Government Gazette, Series A, No 221)
• Law No.2040/1992 “Regulation of issues under the competence of the Ministry of Agriculture and legal entities under its supervision” (Government Gazette, Series A, No 70)
• Law No.1650/1986 “For the protection of the environment” (Government Gazette, Series A, No 160)
• Law No.2742/1999 “Spatial planning and sustainable development“(Government Gazette, Series A, No 207)
• Law no. 4447/2016 “Spatial planning - Sustainable development and other provisions “(Government Gazette, Series A, No 241)
• C.M.D. 31722/4-11-2011 on "Approval of a Special Framework for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development for Aquaculture..." (Government Gazette, Series B, No 2505)
• Law No.3199/2003 on "Water Protection and Management - Harmonisation with Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament..." (Government Gazette, Series A, No 280)
• Law No.4014/2011 on "Environmental licensing of projects and activities..." (Government Gazette, Series A, No 209)
• Presidential Decree 28/2009 on "Health control requirements for aquaculture animals and their products... in accordance with Council Directive 2006/88/EC and EU Commission Directive 2008/53/EC" Government Gazette, Series A No 46)

• Environmental permit
• Aquaculture authorization:
  1. Approval for establishment
  2. Notification of operation

• Federation of Greek Maricultures
• Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO/ELOPY)
• Panhellenic Union of Small and Medium-sized Fish Farmers
• Association of Fishing Cooperatives of Greek Lagoons 
• Association of Greek Mussels and Shellfish Farmers

Sources

• EUMOFA Country Profiles
• EUMOFA “The EU Fish Market” 2025 edition
• STECF 24-14 - EU Aquaculture
• Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT)