Germany could emerge as a leading exporter of aquaculture technology despite importing around 90% of its seafood, according to a new report from Hatch Blue and Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank.
The report, Engineering the Blue Future: Germany’s Role in European Aquaculture Tech, said high operating costs, fragmented regulation and labour shortages continue to constrain domestic aquaculture production in Germany, despite strong seafood demand and technical expertise.
According to the study, aquaculture has overtaken wild-capture fisheries globally as the primary source of aquatic animal protein.
The report argues that Germany’s strengths in engineering, automation and digitalisation could allow the country to position itself as a technology and innovation hub for aquaculture, particularly through the export of production systems, equipment and related technologies.
Recommendations outlined in the report include simplified permitting processes, national aquaculture guidelines, expanded commercialisation programmes for startups and greater access to infrastructure financing and government-backed loans.
Nikola Steinbock, chairwoman of the management board at Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank, said high energy costs and regulatory complexity remain key barriers to expansion of the sector in Germany. She pointed to the use of waste heat from biogas plants and greater integration with agricultural systems as potential ways to reduce operating costs.
Georg Baunach, managing partner and co-founder of Hatch Blue, said the German aquaculture sector had significant innovation potential and could become an exporter of technologies supporting the wider seafood industry.
The study was presented at the Growth Alliance Networking Summit in Frankfurt on May 7 and was based on industry interviews, field research and site visits.
