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Aquaculture market guide

Aquaculture in Canada: suppliers, costs and project planning

FishMatch Group helps commercial buyers in Canada source aquaculture equipment and complete farm projects through a private, human-reviewed RFQ process. Key species are salmon, trout, sturgeon; typical water temperatures are 2–18 °C and industrial electricity costs about USD 0.11 per kWh.

British Columbia is shifting open-net salmon production toward closed containment, creating RAS and hybrid-system demand. Atlantic Canada and Québec focus on salmon, trout and char with cold water and low-cost hydropower.

Open the Canada fish farm cost calculatorRequest a reviewed quote

Key planning facts

Main species
salmon, trout, sturgeon
Common systems
Cages, RAS (recirculating), Flow-through raceways
Water temperature
2–18 °C
Industrial electricity
USD 0.11 / kWh
Water cost
≈ USD 1.80 / m³
Compound feed
≈ CA$2 (≈ $2) / kg
VAT / GST on equipment
5%
Currency
CAD (≈ 1.37 / USD)
Licensing authority
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and provincial ministries
Main import ports
Vancouver, Halifax and Montréal
See vetted supplier categories for Canada

What to check before requesting quotes in Canada

  1. Confirm your water source and year-round temperature (2–18 °C) for salmon.
  2. Budget energy carefully: at about USD 0.11/kWh, pumping and aeration are a major operating cost.
  3. Start permits and environmental licensing early with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and provincial ministries.
  4. Plan equipment logistics and lead times through Vancouver, Halifax and Montréal.
  5. Check water rights or tariffs: municipal water costs about USD 1.80 per m³, so RAS make-up water and pond filling need a secured source.
  6. Budget taxes: standard VAT/GST is 5% on equipment; ask about import duty exemptions for aquaculture.

Electricity: GlobalPetrolPrices business tariffs (2026). Water tariffs and exchange rates are estimates; VAT is the standard national rate.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fish farm cost in Canada?

An indicative 250-tonne-per-year RAS in Canada costs roughly CA$3.7M (≈ $2.7M) – CA$5.8M (≈ $4.2M) in equipment and installation, before land and buildings. Ponds and cages usually cost less per tonne. Use the calculator for your species and scale, then request supplier quotes.

Which fish and shrimp are farmed in Canada?

Commercial projects in Canada mainly focus on salmon, trout, sturgeon.

Who licenses aquaculture in Canada?

Licensing and environmental approval usually involve Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and provincial ministries. Requirements change, so confirm with the authority before committing capital.

Does FishMatch Group sell equipment?

No. FishMatch Group is an independent, human-reviewed sourcing service. We qualify your project, match it with vetted suppliers and keep supplier details private until an introduction is approved.

More Canada questions: see the market FAQ

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