How to Compare RAS Equipment Quotes Like-for-Like
Two RAS quotes for the same farm can differ widely in price and still both be reasonable — because they describe different things. Before comparing prices, make the quotes describe the same project. This is the core of good aquaculture equipment sourcing.
Start from one design basis
Give every supplier the same production target, species, harvest weight, peak daily feed, water source and temperature, and site climate. Ask each to state the design values they used — feed load, stocking density, water exchange, oxygen demand. Differences here explain most price gaps. See sizing a RAS: feed load to oxygen demand.
Build a scope matrix
List every system — tanks, filtration, biofilters, degassing, disinfection, oxygen, temperature control, pumps, pipework, feeding, monitoring, control, backup power — and mark each quote as included, excluded or optional. A cheaper quote that excludes pipework or controls is not cheaper.
Check the performance promises
Look for stated water quality targets, biofilter capacity, oxygen transfer, energy use and redundancy. A quote that promises nothing measurable is hard to hold anyone to after installation.
Align delivery terms
Convert every price to the same Incoterm and add freight, insurance, duties and local costs to reach a landed figure. The terms are explained in Incoterms for aquaculture equipment.
Compare installation, start-up and support
Who installs, who commissions, how long start-up support lasts, what training is included, the warranty terms, spare parts and response times. These often decide whether a farm reaches its first harvest on time.
Score, then negotiate
Score each offer on scope, performance, delivery, support and price, then go back to the leading suppliers with the gaps you found. The RAS farm equipment checklist helps make sure nothing is missing.
FishMatch Group prepares like-for-like comparisons by hand for each reviewed brief; suppliers are never contacted automatically and their identities are never shared. Start with a human-reviewed RFQ.
Aquaculture planning benchmarks
| Figure | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| CAPEX — RAS | USD 9,000–14,000 per tonne/yr | Global baseline before country cost factor. |
| CAPEX — Ponds | USD 1,800–4,000 per tonne/yr | Lined or earthen ponds, excluding land. |
| CAPEX — Cages | USD 2,500–5,500 per tonne/yr | Cages, moorings, nets and service equipment. |
| CAPEX — Flow-through | USD 4,000–7,000 per tonne/yr | Raceways and water intake works. |
| Energy use | RAS ~6 kWh/kg; ponds ~1.2; flow-through ~1.5; cages ~0.3 | Per kg of fish produced. |
| Typical FCR | Trout 1.1; salmon 1.2; shrimp 1.4; tilapia 1.6; carp 1.8 | kg feed per kg growth; varies with feed and management. |
| Farm size where FishMatch reviews projects | From ~USD 250,000 total project value | Commercial fish and shrimp projects. |
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Where this fits in a real project
Every FishMatch project runs through the same five reviewed stages, from a first enquiry to comparable quotations. See the full buyer journey.