Inhouse Farming Feed & Food Show 2026: New Growth Opportunities in Aquaculture

At EuroTier trade fair: Aquaculture Theme Day on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 – From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Inhouse Farming Expert Stage – Perspectives from practice, research, technology and financing – Hanover Exhibition Grounds – Introduction to aquatic systems

When outdoor water becomes both scarce and too warm, or when fish farmers face increasing challenges from protected fish-eating predators such as cormorants, herons and otters, it is a logical business consideration to move the production of fish, crustaceans and aquatic plants into indoor operating systems. The Aquaculture Theme Day on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at the Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show 2026 in Hanover, Germany will demonstrate how inhouse farming can succeed in aquatic systems. The Inhouse Farming –  Feed & Food Show takes place alongside EuroTier, the world's leading trade fair for animal farming and livestock management, organised by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), from 10 to 13 November in Hanover, Germany.

Aquaculture offers farmers an unrivalled diversity, whether in terms of species –  fish, crustaceans, aquatic plants; production environments such as freshwater and saltwater; or environmental requirements such as warm and cold-water systems. As a result, there is an equally diverse range of technological solutions for growth in water within closed indoor systems, some of which will also be presented at the Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Show.

Inhouse Farming Expert Stage

The Inhouse Farming Expert Stage in hall 25 dedicates an entire day to aquatic systems, featuring presentations and discussions with operators and technology providers. The theme day “Inhouse Farming – Aquaculture” takes place on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The program explores aquaculture from the perspectives of practice, research, technology and financing.

During the morning session, various fish farming systems will take center stage. The program includes a keynote on the transformation of salmon farming, a presentation on the planned closed indoor salmon farm “Alpenlachs”, and a practical report on saltwater recirculating systems for shrimp and giant grouper production. Additional topics include closed systems for seafood production and the question of how fish welfare can be assessed.

The afternoon program will focus on saltwater and freshwater aquaponics, including an indoor hydroponic system linked to seabream production and a vertical aquaponics system designed for urban environments. Further presentations will cover entry into algae production, the technology and practical implementation of spirulina cultivation as well as funding opportunities for aquaculture systems. A start-up company will present a compact algae farm for home use. MySpirulina won the Innovation Award at the Inhouse Farming Convention 2025 in Hamburg, an event initiated by the DLG.

From 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the program concludes with an Expert Talk:

“Aquaculture Perspectives for 2040 – Thriving Future or Hard Landing?”

The Aquaculture Day brings together farmers, fish producers, investors and interested stakeholders to exchange experiences, establish contacts and plan new investments or business directions.

Further aquaculture developments in Germany

Many developments in aquaculture can currently be seen in Germany. In the Allgäu, an existing trout farm is to be converted into a land-based indoor recirculating system for Atlantic salmon production. The initiators, Anton Graf von Faber-Castell and Casimir Graf von Wedel-Gödens, are well prepared and can draw on previous experience in fish farming. An annual production capacity of 1,500 tonnes is planned, while existing water rights and infrastructure can be utilised. This represents a significant advantage. 

The new facility is set to include filtration systems, oxygen supply, digital monitoring of water quality and wastewater treatment. The product range will include whole salmon, fillets, portions and smoked salmon marketed under the “Allgäu” brand.

“The key challenge for industrial-scale production is to be economically viable and competitive with imported products. We are very excited to follow the development of salmon production in the Allgäu region,” says Dr. Birgit Schmidt-Puckhaber, DLG Project Manager for Aquaculture.

Oceanloop and Honest Catch 

Oceanloop and Honest Catch are not newcomers to the aquaculture sector, but over recent years they have evolved from research and pilot operations into leading industrial-scale saltwater recirculating aquaculture systems.

Oceanloop initially specialised in shrimp production, while the marketing specialists at Honest Catch focused on selling the products. According to Schmidt-Puckhaber, this unique combination is promising given the importance of professional marketing.

Alongside shrimp, new species are now entering production. The Giant Grouper, known for its exceptional growth performance, is being introduced into Oceanloop facilities. The species demonstrates remarkable growth rates and strong popularity in the food fish market.

A new recirculating aquaculture system for Giant Grouper production with a capacity of 250 tonnes is planned for Gran Canaria. Expansion is supported by new partners and the European Investment Bank. This creates considerable work for the marketing team, while raising an interesting question for industry observers: could the Giant Grouper become the new salmon?

Visitors can learn more during the Aquaculture Theme Day on 11 November 2026 in Hanover.

Aquaculture, Algae and Alliances

When technology providers, producers and traders work together, a great deal can be achieved. However, barriers can only truly be overcome through strong associations and industry networks.

“We are pleased to welcome not only Adrian Feiler, President of the German Aquaculture Association (BVAQ), to the Expert Stage, but also Isabell Schwegel, the new President of the German Inland Fisheries & Aquaculture Association (VdBA). This represents a united front for the future development of fish and aquaculture,” says Schmidt-Puckhaber.

Building alliances is equally important for new farms producing microalgae using photobioreactors. These products are relatively new to the market and distribution channels are still developing. The diversity of algae species presents a particular challenge for marketing activities. Required quantities are often not immediately available, while packaging and labelling standards are not yet harmonised.

The cooperation among producers to jointly develop the market is therefore particularly encouraging.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the algae cooperative and Algenwerk. And even more, we are looking forward to the Spirulina shot made from live algae, beer and smoked fish, served punctually at 5:00 p.m. during the aquatic happy hour after a long and intensive day dedicated to aquaculture,” says Schmidt-Puckhaber.

Further information: www.inhouse-farming.com/en/feed-food-show-at-eurotier/programme/expert-stage-inhouse-farming

Aquaculture background information

Aquaculture refers to the controlled production of aquatic organisms within a protected environment. Aquaculture development varies greatly by region. Globally, it is the most important growth driver in the production of aquatic animals, whereas production within the EU has largely stagnated and Germany contributes only a small share.

According to FAO figures, global aquaculture production exceeded 100 million tonnes of aquatic organisms for the first time in 2024. Including algae and aquatic plants, total production reached around 141 million tonnes.

“This is remarkable when compared with the decline in global capture fisheries,” says Dr. Birgit Schmidt-Puckhaber, DLG Project Manager for Aquaculture.

In the EU, approximately 1.0 million tonnes of aquaculture products worth €4.6 billion were produced in 2024, representing a 3.7 percent decline compared with the previous year. Between 2010 and 2024, production volumes remained relatively stable overall.

Outside the EU, Norway presents a different picture. In 2024, production reached approximately 1.6 million tonnes, primarily salmon.

The Norwegian “salmon story” is a showcase example of successful aquaculture development. While European development remains stagnant and Germany continues to face a complex landscape of approvals and restrictions, Norway has demonstrated how a food production sector can be successfully established and expanded.

In Germany, just under 33,000 tonnes of fish and blue mussels were produced in 2024, approximately 1,500 tonnes more than in 2023. Nevertheless, this increase does not indicate a broader recovery of fish farming. According to the Thünen Institute, fish production has been declining since 2017, while mussels accounted for approximately 49% of total fish and shellfish production in 2024.

Traditional pond farming operations for trout and carp production, once considered flagship examples of German aquaculture, have declined dramatically in recent years. Climate change, predator protection, restrictions and regulatory requirements have reduced the number of farms from 3,285 in 2015 to 1,978 in 2024, a decline of 40 percent.

Alongside traditional pond farming, Germany has developed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which allow water to be reused through treatment and filtration technologies. Approximately 60 farms currently produce around 2,500 tonnes of fish and shrimp in freshwater and marine systems.

Media contact

Malene Conlong
+49 69 24788-237
m.conlong@dlg.org

DLG. Progress and sustainability in the agriculture and food industry

The DLG (German Agricultural Society), founded in 1885 by Max Eyth, stands for productivity and sustainability in innovation-driven improvements in agriculture and the food chain. The aim of the DLG is to promote progress through the transfer of knowledge - especially with regard to technology and quality control. Non-profit, politically independent and with an international network, the DLG has more than 30,000 members worldwide.

As one of the leading organizations in its sector, the DLG not only organizes trade fairs and events in the fields of agriculture and food technology but also tests food, agricultural technology and equipment. With its competence centers for agriculture and food, its demonstration farm where practical trials take place along with its numerous publications, the DLG continually promotes independent knowledge transfer. In addition, the DLG works on numerous national and international committees of experts to develop solutions for the challenges facing agriculture and the food industry.

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