Aquaculture Expansion Will Create a New Market for America’s Soybean Farmers

America’s oceans offer a powerful opportunity to help increase domestic seafood production, benefiting both families and farmers in the Heartland. While open ocean aquaculture cultivates seafood in deep water off the shore, the sustainable fish feeds that are supporting offshore fish farms include ingredients sourced across the U.S.
 
Previously, fish feeds relied heavily on fish-based ingredients, like fishmeal and fish oil to supply the nutritional needs of fish. Today, through innovation and research, proteins in feed are more diverse with farm-grown crops, like soybeans, playing an increasing role in meeting the nutritional needs of fish.

The expansion of American aquaculture would increase demand for farm-raised crops, including soybeans, wheat and corn, which can be used in fish feed, creating new markets and opportunities for American farmers, many of whom continue to feel the impact of tariffs on their exported crops. 

Ohio soybean farmer and member of Soy Aquaculture Alliance Jerry Bambauer said:

"As a soybean farmer, it’s exciting to see our crops play a role in something as innovative as open ocean aquaculture. This growing industry creates a reliable market for feed crops like soy and corn, helping bring stability to farmers like me across the nation. It’s rewarding to know that by supporting aquaculture, we can strengthen rural communities, boost U.S. agriculture, and help provide healthy, sustainable seafood for American families.”

Read more of Jerry’s thoughts in his op-ed in Cleveland.com.

Trade tariffs have posed major challenges for U.S. soybean producers, with China’s recent retaliatory duties bringing the effective tariff on U.S. soybeans to 34% causing exports to the country to fall to zero this September, the first time in seven years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates soybean farmers lost $9.4 billion during the 2018 trade war, accounting for 71% of the $27 billion total decline. Although recent trade agreement suspending these tariffs and committing China to purchase at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by year’s end, and 25 million metric tons annually through 2028, has improved near-term prospects, long-term uncertainty remains. Expanding open ocean aquaculture offers a reliable domestic solution, creating a steady market for plant-based feeds like soybeans and helping farmers build lasting economic resilience against future trade disruptions.

As global demand for sustainable protein grows, aquaculture has emerged as one of the fastest growing and most resource-efficient food production methods. Modern plant-based aquaculture feeds have helped make the industry more sustainable and cost-effective since feed accounts for up to 70% of total production costs.

The bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025 (S.2586/H.R. 5746) would establish a pathway for open ocean aquaculture in U.S. federal waters. The legislation would promote responsible growth in American aquaculture, supporting coastal economies while creating new opportunities for farmers and businesses across the broader seafood supply chain.