Netherlands

Type of species farmed

Aquaculture in the Netherlands is primarily led by the shellfish sector, which accounts for the largest share in both production volume and sales value. Within this sector, the cultivated species mainly include mussels (Mytilus edulis) and oysters (Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas). In addition, the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is the main freshwater species farmed on land and stands out in particular for its economic value within Dutch aquaculture.

^{Source: 2025, STECF}

Type of production method

In 2023, most of the Dutch production occurred in sea and brackish waters. The following main production methods were used: 

• 79% of production: on bottom in sea and brackish waters. 
• 4% of production: off bottom in sea and brackish waters. 
• The rest of production used other methods for which no detail is available.

^{Source: 2025, EUMOFA & STECF}

Trends (past and future)

• Increase in production and sales volumes of shellfish, especially mussels. 
• Growth in total market value, although with a decline in average price per kg. 
• Improved supply of mussel seed through both traditional and technological methods. 
• Greater adoption of technologies such as mussel seed capture installations (MZIs). 
• Increased investment in R&D driven by improved profitability expectations. 
• Development of technical solutions to biological challenges (e.g. predator control). 
• Ongoing sector consolidation with stronger presence of large vertically integrated companies. 
• Shift toward private transactions instead of traditional auction systems. 
• Increased competition within the EU, particularly in the oyster market. 
• Growing debate on sustainability and aquaculture expansion. 
• Greater need for ecological studies on biodiversity impacts. 
• Key role of government in regulation and licensing. 
• Both technical and market innovations are indispensable for a well-functioning and sustainable aquaculture sector. In the period 2021-2027, EMFAF can be used for aquaculture innovation projects. The objective is that the use of the European funds, will l lead to a 3 % increase in the value of production in 2027. 
• The search for new marine production areas will continue. Recently, interest has grown in combining aquaculture with offshore wind energy, which could help address spatial conflicts in the heavily used North Sea and create synergies that reduce operating costs. RAS technology innovations will be supported. Innovations that reduce waste water or increase circularity of the production process can facilitate the process of finding suitable land-based production sites. 
• In recent years (2019–2022), although individual companies dominate the Dutch shellfish sector, some partnerships and vertical integration processes have emerged, with processing companies acquiring producers or competitors. This trend toward consolidation is expected to continue, as companies aim to secure raw material supply, reduce risks, and strengthen sales through diversification and scaling up.

^{Source: 2025, STECF; MNSPA}

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

• Production of shellfish takes place in the coastal areas with a concentration in the South-Western province of Zeeland and the Wadden Sea. 
• The aquaculture sector in the Netherlands is relatively small but very diverse. The sector consists broadly of two sub-sectors: the marine shellfish sector (mussels and oysters farming) and land-based fish farms. There are also some pilots for the cultivation of algae (including within windfarms). 
• According to estimates based on data from NeVeVi and the FAO, in 2022 there were around 25 active finfish aquaculture companies, with a production of 6.3 thousand tonnes and a sales value of €42.3 million. 
• Fish products farmed in the Netherlands are currently marketed mainly in the food service segment in regional restaurants or in neighbouring countries such as Germany, Belgium, France or Italy. The products are often sold to wholesalers, but farms sometimes supply restaurants directly. Half of the fish consumption in the Netherlands consists of farmed fish (including ASC certified), which is largely imported from Asia. 
• Opportunities to produce for the freezer segment seem to be limited due to the competition with imported products which are cheaper. Most products farmed in the Netherlands are too small in volume to supply the retail segment continuously. 
• Shellfish sector: The mussel sector is the largest in this sector. Mussels and oysters grown in the Netherlands are currently marketed mainly in other EU Member States, with Belgium and France being the main markets. Mussels are marketed in retail and food service where both fresh mussels and, to a limited extent, canned mussels are sold. The Dutch mussel sector is vertically integrated and has an important market position within Europe. The oyster sector is much smaller. Oyster growers often depend on large mussel companies or processors and merchants for sales. Oysters are mainly marketed in food service (mainly in restaurants). 
• Macroalgae (seaweed): Commercial seaweed has been grown on a small scale in the Netherlands since 2013. All of this production is used for food use. This is currently sold through food services (restaurants) and special channels (e.g., festivals). The next largest current market for seaweed is the market for thickeners (including alginates) for food use. Dutch companies import both the thickeners directly or import the seaweeds from which they are produced. This is partly due to unfamiliarity with the characteristics of seaweed grown in The Netherlands and because thickener producers need large volumes of seaweed that cannot be delivered by Dutch seaweed farms yet. In addition, there are several alternatives for the production of thickeners. Several other applications of Dutch seaweed are currently being explored. 
• Microalgae: In the Netherlands, culture of microalgae is a relatively new activity. Little information is available on the scale of production and (potential) markets for these products.

^{Source: 2025, STECF; MNSPA}

Challenges and opportunities

^{Source: 2025, STECF; MNSPA}

Employment and number of enterprises

In 2022, 79 shellfish farms, with 41 of it were mussel companies and the other 38 oyster companies.

The Dutch aquaculture sector is dominated by small enterprises (97%) with less than 5 employees. In total 243 persons were active within the Dutch shellfish producing companies in 2022.

• Wet Dieren (wetten.nl - Regeling - Wet dieren - BWBR0030250 (overheid.nl) )
• Besluit houders van dieren wetten.nl - Regeling - Besluit houders van dieren - BWBR0035217 (overheid.nl)
• Regeling houders van dieren (wetten.nl - Regeling - Regeling houders van dieren - BWBR0035248 (overheid.nl) )
• Wet algemene bepalingen omgevingsrecht (wetten.nl - Regeling - Wet algemene bepalingen omgevingsrecht - BWBR0024779 (overheid.nl))
• Waterwet (wetten.nl - Regeling - Waterwet - BWBR0025458 (overheid.nl))
• Wet natuurbescherming (wetten.nl - Regeling - Wet natuurbescherming - BWBR0037552 (overheid.nl)) 

• Permit for aquaculture enterprises
• Permit for the discharge of waste water.
• Permit for spatial integration.
• Veterinary authorisation.

• Dutch Association of fish farmers (NeVeVi)
• Producer Organization Mossel Culture
• Oyster Society

Sources

• EUMOFA Country Profiles
• EUMOFA “The EU Fish Market” 2025 edition
• STECF 24-14 - EU Aquaculture