carbon monoxide which is dangerous to the atmosphere, with aquaponics however these large
machines are not required and air pollution is drastically reduced.
There are also health benefits associated with aquaponics. The fertilizer used to nourish the plants
comes from cold blooded fish that do not carry the harmful E. coli or Salmonella, these two bacteria
especially the latter are frequently known to cause food poisoning if consumed. (K., 2012) The fish inside
these aquaponic systems are not subjected to any growth hormones, are not contaminated by mercury,
do not have antibiotics and do not have PCB which is a synthetic organic compound that has been liked
with cancer. (EPA) Fish and plants grown through aquaponics are therefore healthier for human
consumption, and will taste better as the produce will usually not be shipped outside of the community
be stored for extended periods of time.
2.2.3 How common is Aquaponics in the United States and the North East?
Statistics from the United States Department show that in Organic foods account for over 4% of total
U.S. food sales, and all food from aquaponics is classified as organic. While there is no statistical data for
aquaponics specifically, we can infer that as an emerging technology it represents a small niche within
the organic foods figure. The USDA reports that aquaponics has seen an "increase, but not substantial
increase" in the organic market. Aquaponics is receiving a lot of attention as it not only helps to produce
food but it also aids in the integration of communities in the USA (Harris). While Commercial Farming is
still the main source of food produce in the United States, there has been an increase in the interest and
the practice of aquaponics, as there is now a shortage of arable land for cultivation.
Numerous articles have surfaced which show that even here in New England, a geographic area plagued
by bitterly cold winters is able to facilitate these aquaponic greenhouses, through careful planning and
managing of the internal environment. As well, there are examples of greenhouses running in cold
environments such as Growing Power in Milwaukee. If this trend continues the overall contribution of
aquaponics to the total US food sales will be greatly increased in the years to come.
2.2.4 Markets in the United States
There is no industry benchmark for an “aquaponics” industry, however understanding markets for two
similar industries that represent the two parts of aquaponics – hydroponics and aquaculture – can help
inform of an assessment of the aquaponics industry.
2.2.4.1 The Hydroponics Industry
Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without soil, in growing media or just in water. The
hydroponics industry in the United States is growing, with an annual growth rate averaging 3.6% from
2008 - 2013, and a projected annual growth rate of 3.0% for 2013-2018. The most common market for
the hydroponics industry in the United States is the demand for fruit and vegetables, with tomatoes,
cucumbers, and bell peppers collectively accounting for 6.8% of the product. Other crops commonly
grown include eggplant, squash, and lettuce, and some varieties of fruits. Herbs and spices also are
produced. The most common retail markets for the hydroponics industry are fresh food markets and
grocery stores, holding 35.5% and 30.3% of the market each. About 12% of the demand is food service
providers (mainly restaurants). Direct-to-consumer accounted for 9.4% of sales, and the last 12.6% were
other smaller categories, including selling to wholesalers, schools, and government facilities. IBISWorld
in IBISWorld Industry Report OD4012 describes the market: “Hydroponic farms are generally small and
find it more advantageous to sell locally than generate revenue from wholesalers. In addition, other