| Sumario: | The aquaculture sector in Bangladesh has grown rapidly over the past three decades, yet the organization and conduct within its value chain remain underexplored. This study addresses the gap through a "stacked survey" (November 2020–August 2022) involving 1,195 actors across five key nodes: hatcheries, feed traders, farms, wholesalers, and retailers in southern Bangladesh. Findings reveal significant growth in production volume and participation, with domestic fish comprising 84% of output and export-oriented crustaceans 16%. Disease outbreaks have driven shifts from shrimp to prawn and crustaceans to fish, intensifying production and increasing reliance on formulated feeds. Productivity averages 3,284 kg/ha, higher in fish-only farms. The value chain, predominantly family-operated, generates 490,000 full-time jobs with modest profit margins. These insights highlight a dynamic, competitive, and efficient sector, informing future interventions and policies.
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