WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. trout producers saw revenue decline in 2025 even as production volumes increased, reflecting weaker prices and shifting market demand, according to the USDA’s annual Trout Production report released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Total trout sales reached $102 million in 2025, down 6 percent from 2024. Producers sold 25.3 million trout measuring 12 inches or longer — up 11 percent year over year — but the average price fell 4 percent to $2.40 per pound, reducing overall value. Nearly 69 percent of larger trout were sold to processors, highlighting continued dependence on foodservice and processing channels.
Operationally, smaller-sized categories showed mixed signals. Sales of 6- to 12-inch trout declined 25 percent, though prices rose 16 percent as recreational stocking demand accounted for more than half of purchases. Sales of 1- to 6-inch trout dropped 39 percent, even as per-unit values increased, suggesting tighter hatchery supply and shifting stocking programs.
Regionally, government hatcheries remained a major influence on supply. More than 113 million trout were distributed nationwide for conservation and recreational purposes, valued at $154 million — a 2 percent increase from the previous year.
Looking ahead, disease pressure remains a key risk after losses totaled 9.93 million fish in 2025, with 82 percent attributed to disease, underscoring ongoing biosecurity and production challenges for aquaculture operations.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Higher trout output did not offset weaker prices and disease losses.