Main Actors in the Value Chain in Sweden

5.3 Aquaculture in Sweden

In 2009, Swedish aquaculture produced 7,225 ton fish for consumption and about 993 tons fish and freshwater crayfish for release. Rainbow trout production dominates both aquaculture food production (89%) and release, will smaller production volumes of Arctic char, brown trout and eel. In addition, about 2,125 tons of blue mussels were produced. In 2011, the total Swedish aquaculture production is estimated to reach 12,000 tons, of which 9,000 tons is rainbow trout and 1,500 tons Arctic charr.

The number and type of farms (2009):

83 fish farms for food production

71 fish farms for release

40 crayfish farms for food production

9 crayfish farms for release

17 blue-mussel farms

1 oyster farm

Production quantities (2009):

7,225 tons of fish for consumption 993 tons of fish for release

2 tons of crayfish for consumption

1 ton of crayfish for release 2.125 tons of blue mussels No significant production of oysters

Production of fish for consumption by species (2008/2009):

6,413 tons of rainbow trout

23 tons of Atlantic salmon 172 tons of eel 692 tons of Arctic charr

Swedish fish farming is mostly carried out in freshwater netpens (salmonids) or tanks (eel). However, of the rainbow trout production, 2,431 tons were produced in seawater netpens. It is estimated that aquaculture has given work to 367 men and 57 women in Sweden during 2009. Given the number of farms and production volumes, it is obvious that many of the production units are extremely small. Thus, in 2009, only 13 rainbow trout farms produced more than 100 tons, 16 farms produced between 10-100 tons, and 48 farms produce less than 10 tons.