Typologies of economic performance in EU marine aquaculture: A multidimensional analysis of structural divergences

In the context of growing attention to the sustainability and competitiveness of European aquaculture, this study examines the economic performance of the marine finfish segment across selected European Union Member States over the period 2017–2022. Using harmonized data from the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), the analysis develops a multidimensional set of comparable indicators covering profitability, operating efficiency, and internal economic sustainability, defined as the internal balance between value generation, labour remuneration, and cost structure within the production system. After standardization, the indicators were analysed through K-means cluster analysis to identify relative country configurations of economic performance. The results reveal marked heterogeneity across national aquaculture systems, with some countries displaying comparatively stronger profiles in profitability and operating efficiency, others showing weaker or less balanced patterns, and one intermediate standalone configuration combining strengths and vulnerabilities. Rather than establishing fixed rankings or causal explanations, the proposed framework offers an exploratory and replicable benchmarking tool for interpreting structural differences across European marine finfish aquaculture systems. The findings support the value of differentiated and evidence-informed policy approaches tailored to the heterogeneous economic characteristics of national aquaculture sectors.