The numbers of aquatic animals reared for food is increasing as aquaculture rapidly expands. In the five years to 2022, reported annual global production of farmed crustaceans increased from 9.5 to 12.8 million tonnes^*.

Using a method similar to that used to estimate wild finfish numbers, we estimate that 310-950 (midpoint 630) billion^** crustaceans were slaughtered in recorded global aquaculture production in 2022 as follows:

• 82-170 billion crayfish, crabs and lobsters
• 230-780 billion shrimps and prawns.

Details of the estimate are available by species and by country. The most numerous species include the whiteleg shrimp and red swamp crawfish. EU27 countries combined accounted for 120-230 million^** crustaceans.

The above estimates update and refine our earlier ones, including more data. We previously estimated that 260-600 (midpoint 430) billion were killed for food globally in 2017 (43-75 billion crayfish, crabs and lobsters; and 210-530 billion shrimps and prawns).

Welfare issues in crustacean farming include inhumane methods of killing, live marketing and long distance transport. Breeding stock of shrimp and prawn species are subjected to eyestalk ablation to increase egg production. See Welfare of crustaceans.

 

* Source of aquaculture production tonnages: FAO 2024. FishstatJ: Global aquaculture production 1950-2022.

** rounded to 2 significant figures.