Asia Pacific Aquaculture Vaccines Market

Asia Pacific Aquaculture Vaccines Market Size

The Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market was valued at USD 91.45 million in 2024 to USD 220.09 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.25%.

The Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market refers to the development, production, and distribution of immunization products designed to prevent diseases in aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, mollusks, and crustaceans. Disease outbreaks have become an increasing risk to the sustainability of aquaculture production, which is essential for regional food security and economic development.

MARKET DRIVERS

Increasing Aquaculture Production and Disease Outbreaks

One of the primary drivers of the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is the rapid expansion of aquaculture production, which has increased the risk of infectious disease outbreaks. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Asia accounts for over 88% of global aquaculture output, with countries like China, India, and Indonesia leading in volume. This intensification of farming practices often involves high stocking densities and creates an environment conducive to disease transmission. For example, viral infections such as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) have caused widespread devastation in shrimp farms across Southeast Asia. According to the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), WSSV emergencies in Vietnam alone have resulted in losses of more than USD 2 billion over the previous ten years. The farmers are increasingly adopting preventive healthcare strategies, which include vaccination programs. Governments and private companies have responded by investing in research and commercializing vaccines tailored to regional pathogens. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), vaccinations have been used in aquaculture to lower disease-related mortality by as much as 40% in some areas, drawing attention to their vital role in maintaining output and promoting the industry's economic resilience.

Regulatory Push Toward Reduced Antibiotic Use in Aquaculture

A significant factor fueling the growth of the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is the increasing regulatory scrutiny on the use of antibiotics in aquaculture due to concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the misuse of antibiotics in food-producing animals contributes to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens that can be transmitted to humans. In response, several governments in the Asia Pacific region have introduced policies aimed at curbing antibiotic use in aquaculture. In China, for instance, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, a 30% decrease in the use of antibiotics by 2025 is essential under the "Action Plan for Reducing Antibiotics in Livestock and Aquaculture" released in 2020. Similarly, Japan's Ministry of the Environment has implemented strict residue monitoring systems under its Positive List System, which penalizes seafood exports containing excessive antibiotic traces. Due to these regulatory pressures, aquaculture operators are now looking for alternate methods of disease management, and vaccines are showing potential as a possible option. As per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), replacing antibiotics with vaccines in aquaculture can reduce AMR gene prevalence by up to 60% in aquatic environments.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

High Cost and Limited Availability of Advanced Aquaculture Vaccines

A key restraint impeding the growth of the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is the high cost and limited availability of advanced vaccine formulations, particularly in small-scale and rural aquaculture operations. Unlike large commercial farms that can absorb higher input costs, independent fish and shrimp farmers often rely on cost-effective disease management strategies,, limits their ability to invest in premium vaccines. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 70% of aquaculture production in Asia comes from smallholder farms and many of which operate on thin profit margins. Moreover, access to high-quality vaccines remains uneven across the region. While multinational companies offer advanced products in developed markets such as Japan and South Korea, many Southeast Asian countries face supply chain gaps and inadequate cold storage infrastructure.

Lack of Awareness and Technical Expertise Among Farmers

Another significant barrier to the expansion of the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is the lack of awareness and technical expertise among aquaculture farmers regarding vaccine benefits and administration protocols. Many small-scale producers continue to rely on traditional disease control methods such as chemical treatments and antibiotics due to limited exposure to modern immunization practices. According to a survey conducted by the WorldFish Center, less than 30% of smallholder aquaculture operators in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Myanmar were familiar with the concept of prophylactic vaccination for aquatic species. Additionally, Vaccines must be applied correctly, which involves careful handling, accurate dosage, and following suggested schedules. Many farmers lack the necessary skills to handle these aspects. As per the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), improper vaccine use has led to suboptimal immune responses in certain cases. Government agencies and private firms have initiated farmer education campaigns, but progress remains slow due to logistical constraints and fragmented distribution networks.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Expansion of Shrimp and Salmonid Farming in Asia

The fast growth of shrimp and salmonid farming, two industries that are particularly vulnerable to infectious illnesses, presents an interesting opportunity in the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), shrimp production in Asia accounts for over 70% of global output, with major contributors including India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Similarly, salmon farming is gaining traction in countries like China and South Korea, where demand for high-protein seafood continues to rise. Shrimp farming, in particular, has been severely affected by viral diseases such as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and early mortality syndrome (EMS), leading to massive economic losses. As per the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), these diseases have collectively caused over USD 20 billion in losses since the early 2000s. In response, governments and private firms are investing heavily in targeted vaccine development to improve farm resilience. Companies like HIPRA and AquaGen are expanding their product lines to include oral and immersion vaccines that are easier to administer in shrimp hatcheries. Meanwhile, improvements in recombinant and DNA-based vaccinations are improving salmonid aquaculture's protection against pathogens, including sea lice infestations and the infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV).

Development of Recombinant and Oral Vaccine Technologies

A promising opportunity in the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is the advancement of recombinant DNA-based and oral vaccine technology, which offers improved efficacy, ease of administration, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional injectable vaccines. These innovations are particularly relevant for mass immunization in densely stocked fish and shrimp farms, where labor-intensive injection methods pose logistical challenges.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), recombinant vaccines provide enhanced antigen specificity and induce stronger immune responses without the need for live pathogens. Companies such as Elanco Animal Health and MSD Animal Health have been developing genetically engineered vaccines that target prevalent diseases like infectious salmon anemia (ISA) and yellow head virus (YHV) in shrimp. Oral vaccines, which can be delivered through feed or water, are gaining traction due to their non-invasive nature and scalability. According to research in the Journal of Fish Diseases, oral vaccinations have been shown to protect tilapia, a significant Southeast Asian concern, against Streptococcus at up to 70% protection rates.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Complex Regulatory Approval Processes for Aquaculture Vaccines

A major challenge facing the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is the complex and inconsistent regulatory approval processes across different countries, which delay the commercialization of new products. Aquaculture vaccines must adhere to different national standards on safety, effectiveness, and environmental impact assessments, in contrast to human vaccines, which are governed by comparatively standardized international norms. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in India imposes strict compliance regulations, such as post-marketing surveillance and batch testing, which lengthen producers' time to market. Multinational vaccine producers face extra challenges due to country-specific licensing requirements enforced by Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.

Limited Cold Chain Infrastructure for Vaccine Distribution

A critical challenge impeding the growth of the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is the inadequate cold chain infrastructure necessary for preserving vaccine potency during transportation and storage. Most aquaculture vaccines require refrigeration at specific temperature ranges, typically between 2°C and 8°C, to maintain biological activity. However, cold storage facilities and temperature-controlled logistics are still lacking in many regions of the region, especially in rural and coastal areas. As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), improper temperature management leads to an estimated 20–30% loss of vaccine viability in tropical aquaculture settings. This not only increases costs for farmers but also undermines confidence in vaccine effectiveness and discourages repeated adoption. Efforts by governments and private firms to expand cold chain networks are ongoing, but progress remains slow due to financial constraints and logistical complexities.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

By Vaccine Insights

The inactivated vaccines segment dominated the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market by capturing 48.3% the share in 2024. One key driver of this segment's growth is the increasing prevalence of bacterial diseases such as Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio species, and Edwardsiella tarda, which have caused significant losses in Asian aquaculture. According to the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), bacterial infections alone account for over 60% of disease-related production losses in freshwater and marine farms across the region. Additionally, regulatory agencies such as China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and India’s Department of Animal Husbandry favor inactivated vaccines due to their reduced risk of reversion to virulence. Furthermore, the stability of inactivated vaccines under standard storage conditions makes them more accessible to smallholder farmers who lack advanced cold chain infrastructure.

The recombinant segment is estimated to register a CAGR of 15.6% over the forecast period 2025 to 2033, with the development of genetically engineered vaccines that offer superior protection against emerging pathogens with minimal side effects. For instance, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), scientists from the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences have created a recombinant vaccine that targets the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp, with up to 80% survival rates in controlled experiments. Another contributing factor is the growing investment in biotech-driven vaccine R&D. Governments in countries like Japan and South Korea are funding research initiatives aimed at commercializing novel vaccine platforms tailored for aquatic species.

By Route of Administration Insights

The injected route led the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market by occupying 42.2% the share in 2024, with the high efficacy associated with injectable vaccines, which ensures accurate dosing and strong immune stimulation. According to the Journal of Fish Diseases, injected vaccines have demonstrated over 90% protection rates against infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in salmonids, making them a preferred choice in intensive aquaculture systems. Moreover, countries like China and South Korea have adopted automated injection systems that enable mass vaccination without compromising precision. As per a report by the Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, these systems have improved operational efficiency by reducing labor requirements by up to 50% in hatcheries.

The oral vaccines segment is estimated to register a CAGR of 14.2% from 2025 to 2033. One major advantage of oral vaccines is their ease of administration through feed or water, which eliminates the need for manual handling and reduces stress on aquatic organisms. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), oral delivery has been shown to achieve up to 75% immunization success in tilapia populations, which significantly improves survival rates during disease outbreaks. In addition, recent advancements in microencapsulation technology have enhanced antigen stability and uptake in the gastrointestinal tract of fish and crustaceans. Research conducted by the National University of Singapore found that orally administered vaccines using polymer-coated nanoparticles exhibited a 30% increase in immune response duration compared to traditional formulations.

COUNTRY-LEVEL ANALYSIS

China

China was the top performer in the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market by accounting for 30.5% of the share in 2024. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the nation is the greatest producer of aquaculture in the world, accounting for more than 60% of worldwide production, which gives it a strong position. Domestic biotech firms, supported by state-funded research institutions like the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, have developed indigenous vaccines targeting prevalent diseases like grass carp hemorrhagic disease and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). As per the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), these efforts have led to a 25% reduction in aquaculture mortality rates over the past five years. Additionally, collaborations between local manufacturers and multinational vaccine companies are accelerating product innovation and distribution, which is boosting China’s leadership in the aquaculture vaccines landscape.

India

India was positioned second in the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market by capturing 18.4% of the share in 2024. The country's aquaculture market is one of the fastest-growing globally, with shrimp and freshwater fish farming playing a crucial role in export earnings and rural livelihoods.

According to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India exported over USD 7 billion worth of seafood in 2022, with shrimp accounting for nearly 70% of total exports. However, viral diseases such as white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and early mortality syndrome (EMS) continue to threaten production sustainability. According to the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), field tests carried out in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu revealed that vaccinated shrimp farms had a 35% greater survival rate than non-vaccinated ones. Adoption has been further increased by the introduction of reasonably priced locally made vaccinations by private sector companies as Hester Biosciences and Indovax.

Thailand

Thailand's aquaculture vaccine market growth is driven by its well-established shrimp and tilapia farming industries. As a major exporter of farmed shrimp, Thailand faces persistent disease threats that have historically resulted in significant economic losses. According to the Department of Fisheries, Thailand produced over 600,000 metric tons of aquaculture products in 2022, with shrimp accounting for nearly half of the total. Viral diseases such as yellow head virus (YHV) and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) have historically impacted production cycles. As per the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, vaccinated shrimp farms recorded a 20–25% increase in yield compared to unvaccinated counterparts in controlled studies.

Japan

The Japanese aquaculture vaccines market growth is driven by its high adoption rates, advanced regulatory framework, and focus on premium seafood production. Since the nation's aquaculture sector places a high value on sustainability and quality, vaccinations are an essential part of preventative health plans. To ensure high vaccination effectiveness and safety, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) of Japan upholds strict approval criteria for veterinary biologics. Multinational and domestic companies, including Nisseiken and Kyoritsu Seiyaku Corporation, are actively involved in vaccine development and distribution.

KEY MARKET PLAYER

Hipra, Merck & Co. Inc., KBNP, Nisseiken Co., Ltd, KoVax Ltd, Kyoritsuseiyaku Corporation, Elanco, Vaxxinova International BV, Kyoto Biken Laboratories, Inc. are the market players that are dominating the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market.

Top Players in the Market

HIPRA

HIPRA is a global leader in animal health and has established a strong presence in the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market. The company specializes in developing innovative and highly effective vaccines for fish and shrimp, mainly focusing on disease prevention rather than treatment. HIPRA's contribution to the global market lies in its commitment to research-driven solutions and sustainable aquaculture practices. It collaborates closely with regional governments and academic institutions to customize vaccines to local disease profiles by enhancing their effectiveness and adoption across key markets such as Vietnam, India, and Thailand.

Elanco Animal Health

Elanco Animal Health plays a pivotal role in advancing aquaculture health solutions worldwide. In the Asia Pacific region, Elanco has been instrumental in introducing advanced vaccine delivery systems that cater to both large-scale and smallholder farming operations. Its contribution to the worldwide market includes enhancing traceability and efficacy through the integration of digital technology into vaccine development and delivery. Elanco helps farmers efficiently manage disease outbreaks via strategic collaborations and locally developed products, which promote economic stability and food security in communities that depend on aquaculture.

Nisseiken

Nisseiken is a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company with a growing footprint in the aquaculture vaccines sector. Known for its high-quality biologicals, Nisseiken has contributed significantly to disease control in marine and freshwater species in Japan and beyond. The company’s expertise in vaccine formulation and regulatory compliance has made it a trusted name in the Asia Pacific market. Nisseiken’s focus on innovation and adherence to stringent quality standards positions it as a key player in supplying vaccines for critical aquatic pathogens, driving sustainable growth in the regional aquaculture market.

Top Strategies Used By Key Market Participants

One major strategy employed by key players in the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is strengthening regional partnerships with local governments and research institutions. These collaborations help companies align their vaccine development with regional disease patterns and regulatory requirements, resulting in more effective and accepted products.

Another widely adopted approach is expanding local manufacturing and distribution capabilities to reduce costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and meet the rising demand for vaccines in remote aquaculture areas. Establishing production units or joint ventures within the region enables faster response times and better service delivery.

A third crucial strategy involves investing in farmer education and technical support programs, which aim to raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination and proper administration techniques.

COMPETITION OVERVIEW

The competition in the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market is shaped by a mix of global biopharmaceutical firms and emerging regional players striving to capture market share through innovation, strategic alliances, and localized product development. Multinational companies bring extensive R&D capabilities and proven vaccine platforms while domestic manufacturers leverage cost advantages and a deep-rooted understanding of local aquaculture dynamics. The market remains highly fragmented, with numerous players offering a diverse range of vaccines modified to specific aquatic species and diseases prevalent in the region. The demand for efficient immunization solutions is rising as aquaculture production continues to grow, especially in nations like Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. As a result, firms are trying to stand out from the competition by using innovative delivery systems, better antigen formulations, and integrated disease management services. Regulatory preparedness, speed of product approvals, and accessibility for smallholder farmers are also key differentiators. Furthermore, the need for antibiotic alternatives has increased interest in vaccination, which has fueled competition even further.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET

• In March 2023, HIPRA expanded its aquaculture division by establishing a regional research center in Bangkok. The initiative aimed to increase its presence in Southeast Asia through the development of targeted vaccinations for tilapia and shrimp that would combat prevalent diseases in the region.
• In October 2023, Elanco Animal Health launched a farmer outreach program in India in collaboration with state fisheries departments. To raise adoption rates in important producing states, the initiative focused on educating shrimp farmers about the advantages of vaccination and preventative healthcare.
• In January 2024, Nisseiken partnered with a leading Japanese university to develop next-generation recombinant vaccines for sea bream and yellowtail. This move enhanced the company’s innovation pipeline and reinforced its leadership position in marine aquaculture vaccines.
• In May 2024, Ceva Santé Animale entered into a distribution agreement with a local Vietnamese biotech firm to expand its vaccine portfolio across aquaculture value chains, particularly in shrimp and catfish farming regions.
• In August 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim announced the launch of a mobile vaccine delivery unit targeting remote aquaculture zones in Indonesia. This initiative was designed to improve access to high-quality vaccines and provide on-site technical support to farmers.

MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report on the Asia Pacific aquaculture vaccines market was segmented and sub-segmented into the following categories.

By Vaccine Type

• Live
• Inactivated
• Other Vaccine Types

By Type of Administration

• Oral
• Immersion
• Injected

By Country

• India
• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Vietnam
• Philippines
• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Rest of APAC