More than 40 percent of the world population cannot afford a healthy diet. Responding to escalating population growth, Madagascar must address the challenge of feeding its population sustainably, producing high-value commodities for exports while preserving its high biodiversity ecosystems.
Aquaculture is emerging as a crucial sector to meet these needs, offering an opportunity to supply healthy food to the local population and contribute to economic development through niche export markets such as farmed shrimp, seaweed, sea cucumbers, and caviar.
The intensification of national aquaculture production has become increasingly imperative, particularly given that the annual fish consumption in Madagascar is currently estimated at 7 kg per capita, well below the African average of 11 kg per capita. By 2030, an additional 142 000tonnes of seafood will be needed to raise the per capita fish consumption, with most of this supply expected to come from aquaculture. There is a high market demand for aquaculture products, particularly freshwater fish such as tilapia and carp. The average selling price of tilapia in urban areas ranges from 3 to 6 EUR per kg, depending on the season, creating strong interest from medium and small-scale farmers. In 2023, official aquaculture production reached over 30,000 tonnes, but projections indicate a decline to two-thirds of that amount in 2024 with producers facing difficult conditions exacerbated by erratic rainfall, cyclones, and rising water temperatures. In addition, the sector’s growth is hindered by systemic constraints, such as limited access to affordable fish feed and market access challenges.
In line with the government’s General State Policy, the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy (MEPB) is establishing 19 Zones d’Émergence Piscicoles (ZEP or Fish Farming Emergence Zones) across the country. These zones are equipped with facilities to support private sector production of over 5 million fingerlings annually. This initiative is expected to stimulate local aquaculture, particularly in tilapia and common carp farming, which can be carried out on family-run farms under sheds. Alongside the well-established export-oriented aquaculture sector, a new wave of small- and medium-scale farmers is emerging, deploying diverse production systems ranging from rice-fish system to semi-intensive pond aquaculture to meet the growing demand for locally produced fish.
As the sector strives to adapt to increasing climate variability, there is a pressing need to transition from a niche industry to a major component of Madagascar’s economy and food system.