Pennsylvania Aquaculture Tops $11 Million in Value of Sales

Pennsylvania's trout growers produced trout valued at $20.7 million in 2021. Commercial trout producers sold 1.55 million pounds of trout, valued at $7.13 million during 2021, ranking third nationally behind Idaho and North Carolina. Pennsylvania farmers also produced trout valued at $13.5 million for conservation and recreational purposes.

Pennsylvania ranks third for the value of trout distributed for conservation and recreational purposes, behind Washington and Idaho. Pennsylvania accounts for 10% of the nation's distributed trout value. These trout were produced primarily by the state fish commission, cooperative nurseries, and private fishing clubs. These conservation-related producers grew 640,000 fish 12 inches or longer, 5.73 million 6-12" fish, and 640,000 1-6" fish.

Sales of food fish trout 12-inches or longer in Pennsylvania totaled 1.37 million pounds. Averaging $4.54 per pound, compared to $4.57 last year and $2.01 nationally. Total sales of 12-inch and larger trout were valued at $6.22 million. Pennsylvania grower's sales of food fish trout 6 to 12 inches long by Pennsylvania growers totaled 410,000 fish or 172,000 pounds live weight during 2021. They were sold at an average of $4.81 a pound, compared to the national average of $4.30. Total sales of 6-12" in Pennsylvania were valued at $827,000.

Pennsylvania growers' sales of trout 1 to 6 inches long totaled 175,000 fish, or 6,000 pounds live weight, during 2021. These fish were sold at an average of $498 per thousand, compared to $241 nationally. Total sales of 1-to-6-inch trout were valued at $87,000. Total losses of all Pennsylvania trout intended for sale were 484,000 fish during 2021, or 128,000 pounds of fish.

Data for trout production are collected from all known producers in the 16 published states and a sample of producers from the remaining states. NASS Regional Field Offices maintain a list of all known trout producers and use known sources of producers to update their lists. Operators are mailed a questionnaire as close as possible to January 1 and given adequate time to respond by mail. Those that do not respond by mail are telephoned or possibly enumerated in person during the middle of January.