Profitability of multi‐loop aquaponics: Year‐long production data, economic scenarios and a comprehensive model case

Abstract

This case study examined the productivity and economic performance of a double recirculation aquaponic system in Germany with a total interior area of about 540 m2. Calculations were carried out as an ex post analysis based on one‐year production data. The initial situation was not profitable; therefore, two scenarios were developed, which envisaged a significantly improved productivity of the fish as well as of the plant unit and a more than threefold enlargement of the greenhouse to make maximum use of the fish effluent. An ex ante analysis was performed and showed that the second scenario was profitable with a payback period of about 12 years. On the basis of this scenario, a simple but comprehensive model case with the complete set of economic key indicators showed that aquaponics is feasible if it exploits its potential, regardless of the high initial investment costs. The model case would cover an overall space of about 2,000 m2, which is suitable for professional aquaponics in urban and peri‐urban areas with their limited space availability. Furthermore, multi‐loop aquaponics with its inherent circles fits into the circular city concept and implements resource‐efficient and sustainable food production into the urban fabric, which is important with increasing urbanization.

Causal Relations of Upscaled Urban Aquaponics and the Food-Water-Energy Nexus—A Berlin Case Study

“…We selected two aquaponically relevant species for fish production: Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The production parameters for tilapia were used according to the AP system modelled by Körner et al [41] for comparative-LCA, whereas the parameters for catfish were taken from a model case based on real production data developed by Baganz, et al [67] and extrapolated to year-round production. Farmed fish species determine many parameters of the RAS, including the stocking density, which in turn significantly determines the amount of nutrients contained in the nutrient water transferred from the aquaculture to the hydroponic unit.…”

Exploring economic and legal barriers to commercial aquaponics in the EU through the lens of the UK and policy proposals to address them

“…Despite the environmental benefits and potential for high yields, the economic success of the aquaponics industry is mixed. Research from academic laboratories and case studies show multiple examples of economic viability and high profit potential of aquaponics facilities, with payback times estimated at around 7.5 years or less if produce can achieve organic food prices (Watten and Busch 1984;Bailey et al 1997;Chaves et al 1999;Love et al 2015b;Bailey and Ferrarezi 2017;Quagrainie et al 2018;Baganz et al 2020).…”

“…As we have seen with offshore wind in the renewable energy sector, innovative technologies can be driven by government support to the point where they become commercially competitive, becoming profitable without the need for subsidies (Jansen et al 2020). Demonstration aquaponics projects such as that presented by Baganz et al (2020) show the potential, but a 12-year payback period is too long. Without the learning process involved with real-world deployments, it will be impossible to ever reach the economies of scale needed for aquaponics to achieve financial sustainability (Goddek et al 2015;Turnšek et al 2019;Turnšek et al 2020).…”

Water quality and health status of the monosex Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus cultured in aquaponics system (ASTAF-PRO)

“…Considerably, it is a developing agricultural technology that is rapidly gaining worldwide popularity, as a bio-integrated food production system, mainly for small-scale production systems (Kloas et al, 2015). Moreover, aquaponic is the solution to many of nowadays global problems, having a huge potential to become the future farming method that provides year-round production of high quality fish and vegetable in a sustainable way, and at a relatively low cost (Baganz et al, 2020).…”

“…The striking innovations introduced by ASTAF-PRO is the use of a one-way-valve to separate aquaculture within a classical closed aquaculture recirculation system (RAS) from a classical hydroponic system, and thus allowing both systems to run under optimum conditions (Kloas et al, 2015). This sustainable farming technology received growing attention during the last years (Goddek et al, 2016;Junge et al, 2017;Monsees et al, 2017;Baganz et al, 2020). The present work was built upon this technology to enable the efficient transfer of ASTAF-PRO to Egypt.…”