by Priyal Shah, International Aquafeed and Fish Farming Technology
Greece strengthened its position as one of the European Union’s leading aquaculture nations in 2024, producing 127,493 tonnes of farmed aquatic organisms and accounting for 12.6 percent of total EU output. The figures underline the country’s long-established importance in European seafood production and its growing influence in global markets.
The country also maintained a commanding lead in two of the Mediterranean’s most commercially significant species. Greece produced more than half of all gilthead seabream and more than half of all European seabass farmed across the EU during 2024. On a per capita basis, production reached 26.9 lbs per person, far above the EU average of 4.96 lbs, further confirming Greece’s standing among Europe’s foremost aquaculture producers.
This success is not built on geography alone. While Greece benefits from an extensive coastline, favourable waters and a long maritime tradition, its rise has also been driven by a network of specialist companies providing technology, nutrition, logistics, health services, insurance, processing systems and digital innovation. Together, these businesses form the infrastructure behind one of Europe’s most advanced aquaculture sectors.
Digital Aquaculture and Smarter Farming
Technology is rapidly transforming aquaculture, with producers seeking better data, tighter control and faster decision-making. aquaManager is a Greece-based aquaculture technology company with more than 20 years of experience in digital farm management solutions. Its connected platform integrates hatchery and grow-out software, mobile applications, IoT monitoring, business intelligence tools and AI-enabled systems.
Key solutions include hatchery and grow-out management platforms, feeding cameras for real-time feed control and a biomass camera offering non-invasive biomass estimation with accuracy of plus or minus five percent. Active in more than 85 countries, aquaManager helps farms improve traceability, cost control and operational performance.
In Greece, where the company began, its systems continue to help producers standardise workflows, improve efficiency and advance more sustainable production methods.
Nutrition, Health and Integrated Production
High-performing aquaculture depends on advanced feed strategies, robust fish health systems and practical demonstration at farm level. IRIDA Group is a recognised leader in fish nutrition and health management, working with many of the Mediterranean’s most successful producers. Its feed division manufactures premium aquafeeds with annual capacity of 140,000 tonnes, supporting strong production performance.
Through Vetcare, the group provides specialist fish pathology services and pharmaceutical partnerships, enabling next-day medicated feed delivery across Greece. Through Aquatic Biologicals, IRIDA also develops autogenous vaccine solutions from its own GMP-certified facility, the only one of its kind in Greece. The group’s vertically integrated model is further demonstrated through Galaxidi Marine Farm, one of Greece’s leading fish producers and a practical showcase for the effectiveness of IRIDA’s combined nutrition and health approach.
Moving Live Fish Across Europe
For Mediterranean aquaculture producers, logistics is as important as farming itself. Live transport requires specialist vehicles, welfare-focused systems and dependable delivery networks. Papageorgiou Transport & Logistics leads a strategic alliance of three Greek transport specialists dedicated to the live transport of Mediterranean species across Europe. With decades of expertise and a modern fleet that includes articulated trucks, drawbar trailers with detachable tanks and crane-equipped vehicles, the group provides tailored logistics solutions for seabream, seabass, meagre, red seabream, umbrine, sturgeon, eel and trout.
Its fleet incorporates advanced water temperature control systems designed to safeguard fish welfare during transit. By serving some of the Mediterranean’s largest producers, the company supports the international reach of Greek aquaculture through reliable and highly specialised transport services.
Processing Technology for Added Value
As seafood markets become more competitive, efficient processing and value-added production are increasingly important. Makelis, headquartered in Athens, supports the Greek and Balkan fish industries with advanced processing and handling solutions. Its machinery portfolio helps producers improve efficiency, reduce production costs and deliver premium products to market.
The company supplies grading systems covering fish receiving through to automatic ice dosing and palletising, alongside processing lines for filleting and gutting. It also offers freezing and glazing systems, packaging technologies, value-added product lines and hygiene equipment. By combining global partner equipment with custom-engineered automation systems built in-house, Makelis provides integrated solutions tailored to processor needs.
Delivering Fresh Greek Fish to Global Markets
Rapid, dependable distribution is essential for premium seafood, particularly in export markets where freshness determines value. UTC was one of the early specialists to establish a strong position in the air transport of fresh fish. Today, the company handles 98 percent of shipments linked to the Greek aquaculture and fish market.
Since 1989, UTC has developed extensive know-how in fish product transport, helping position it as a leading logistics force within one of Greece’s most important and fast-growing industries. Its focus on prompt and reliable service has made it a critical link between Greek producers and international customers.
Managing Risk in a Growing Industry
Aquaculture operations face a wide range of risks, from environmental events to biological losses and market disruption. As the sector grows, specialist insurance has become increasingly important. Synthesis Insurance Brokers was established in 2018, building on aquaculture insurance expertise developed since 2004. Operating across the Mediterranean, Europe and the Middle East, the company structures risk solutions for fish farmers that extend beyond conventional insurance placement.
With strong understanding of production cycles, loss drivers and regional market conditions, Synthesis works closely with producers and insurers to create more responsive and sustainable cover. Its model promotes clearer alignment between underwriting practices and real farm conditions, helping strengthen resilience across the aquaculture sector.
Precision Monitoring for Modern Farming
A key pillar of successful aquaculture is water quality management, where consistency and real-time oversight are critical to fish welfare and production performance. ScientAct S.A. has been active since 1995 and has grown into one of the region’s most dynamic providers of advanced telemetry systems for monitoring qualitative and quantitative water parameters. The company has developed strong expertise in aquaculture water monitoring, where reliable live data is essential to efficient and sustainable production.
In addition to fixed monitoring systems, ScientAct supplies laboratory equipment supporting aquaculture testing operations, alongside specialist tools including fish counters, fish fat meters and freshness meters. Its portfolio also includes high-precision portable instruments for field water assessment and direct measurement on aquatic organisms. Headquartered in Thessaloniki, with branches and subsidiaries across Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Albania, the company provides broad technical support throughout the region.
Feed Ingredients and Scientific Support
Strong feed performance begins with quality raw materials and scientifically backed additives. Bioergex Salatas Bros SA has supported Greek aquaculture since the sector’s earliest years and has maintained more than 50 years of continuous presence in the national market.
The company supplies aquafeed manufacturers with premium raw materials and specialist additives from international partners including IFF, Phibro Animal Health, Zinpro, ITPSA and Bextral.
Bioergex also places strong emphasis on scientific development, investing in staff education and collaborating with universities and research institutes on new product development.
A Model Built on Collaboration
Greece’s aquaculture leadership is the result of more than fish production volumes. It is the product of a mature ecosystem where farmers, suppliers, technologists, logistics specialists and service providers work in step.
From water monitoring and digital management to feed innovation, fish health, transport, insurance and processing, these companies represent the tools and expertise that have helped shape modern Greek aquaculture.
As demand for sustainable, high-quality seafood continues to rise, Greece appears well placed not only to retain its leadership in seabream and seabass, but also to remain a benchmark for how integrated aquaculture industries can succeed on the European stage.
