Agricultural sectors
Biological resources underpin global production systems: from the food we eat and the fibres we use to the energy and materials that support everyday life. Agrifood systems form the foundation of bioeconomy. Today, more than 80 percent of global biomass comes from crops and livestock, driving sustainable bioeconomy solutions. Across these sectors, FAO supports countries in unlocking the full potential of biological resources through policy support, technical expertise and knowledge adaped to each sector’s opportunities and challenges.
Fisheries and aquaculture
Aquatic food systems feed billions and support the livelihoods of an estimated 600 million people worldwide. Sustainable bioeconomy approaches in fisheries and aquaculture can improve resource efficiency, create new business and employment opportunities, strengthen food security and nutrition, and support resilient coastal and inland communities. Their bioeconomy potential goes well beyond primary production, including valorizing fish processing by-products into food ingredients, feed and fertilizer and other high-value products; developing new value chains around seaweed and other aquatic resources; and reducing the waste and pollution that currently undercut the sector's sustainability.
FAO supports members through policy advice, capacity development, technical assistance and knowledge products that help scale sustainable bioeconomy solutions in fisheries and aquaculture. This includes support for the valorization of aquatic food processing by-products and co-products, work on circular aquaculture approaches that improve resource efficiency and reduce pollution, and knowledge development on seaweed and other aquatic value chains. FAO helps countries translate bioeconomy opportunities into concrete benefits for fisherfolk, enterprises and coastal and inland communities.
- Global fisheries and aquaculture production reached 235 million tonnes in 2024 - a record high.
- Aquatic foods provide 15% of animal protein worldwide.
- In 2022, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic organisms for the first time, reaching 37.8 million tonnes of seaweed and other algae.
- When fish are processed, by-products can represent between 30 and 70% of the whole fish.
- Up to 38% of fishmeal and 53% of fish oil is produced from processing by-products rather than whole fish.
- Women make up almost half of the post-harvest workforce in aquatic food systems, especially in the small-scale fisheries sector.
The FAO e-learning course Aquatic food by-products valorization covers the 4R approach, turning fish by-products into higher-value resources and fish silage production as a low-cost preservation method. Free and self-paced.
Forestry
Forests are a source of renewable raw materials, a carbon sink, a biodiversity reservoir, and a livelihood base for billions of people. Forest-based bioeconomy approaches can replace fossil-based materials with renewable wood products, promoting the use of residues, non-wood resources, and biological material across sectors from cosmetics to construction to paper packaging. This approach creates economic value while contributing to climate and other sustainability goals.
FAO works with countries to advance sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches across three areas: sustainable production and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products; strengthening forest-based value chains through processing, innovation and support to smallholders; and harnessing the carbon sequestration and substitution potential of harvested wood products to support climate goals. FAO also supports the Country and Organization-Led Initiative on Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy Approaches, launched at the UN Forum on Forests in 2024 by the Government of Austria.
Key facts:
- The forest sector contributes USD 1.52 trillion annually to the global economy.
- At least 42 million people work in the forest sector (around 1.2% of global employment).
- Women represent 25% of this workforce, particularly in non-wood forest products valorization.
- Forests store 662 billion tonnes of carbon and host 80% of terrestrial species.
- By 2050, sawn wood production could rise by around 30%, and plywood and fibreboard production by up to 50%.
- Wood products, when sourced sustainably, could store 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2050.
Livestock
Livestock plays a key role in bioeconomy by converting non-edible biomass into high-value animal-source foods, organic fertilizers and renewable energy. It reduces food–feed competition, enhances soil health, and helps close nutrient cycles, while contributing to more sustainable agricultural systems and strengthening global food security. Beyond food production, livestock systems contribute to bio-based industries by transforming animal by-products such as hides, bones and fats into inputs for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biomaterials and bioenergy, such as biogas.
FAO provides science-based guidance, metrics and tools to help policymakers and stakeholders assess and enhance the contribution of livestock to circular bioeconomy approaches. This includes the efficient conversion of non-edible biomass and food industry by-products into animal-source foods, organic fertilizers and bioenergy. Through its Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership, FAO equips stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to improve the sustainability and performance of livestock systems.
Key facts:
- Animal-source foods provide 34–40 percent of global protein consumption.
- Approximately 86 percent of livestock feed is not suitable for human consumption.
- Livestock systems transform crop residues and other non-edible biomass into nutrient-dense foods, organic fertilizers and renewable energy.
- Replacing feed ingredients such as cereals, fish by-catch, pulses and vegetable oils with food system co-products could increase global food availability by 13 percent in terms of kilocalories and by 15 percent in terms of protein.
Crops
Crop systems are the backbone of global biomass supply and one of the most significant opportunities for bioeconomy development. They are also the backbone of economies in rural communities and a primary source of nourishment and livelihoods for billions. Global production of primary crops reached 9.9 billion tonnes in 2023, yet around 450 million tonnes of crop residues are burned annually, releasing emissions and wasting valuable biomass. Redirecting this residual biomass into bio-based value chains – such as textiles, construction materials, bioenergy, bioplastics, biochemicals or bioinputs – can significantly enhance resource efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil-based inputs.
FAO supports this transition through capacity development, technical assistance and knowledge products on the valorization of crop residues and non-edible biomass. Our goals are to:
- develop sustainable crop production systems for a world free from hunger;
- protect the environment and biodiversity and facilitate safe trade and economic growth;
- enable more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable crop production and protection;
- enhance farmers' timely access to affordable quality and safe seeds and planting materials;
- ensure food security and nutrition through sustainable plant production and protection;
- minimize agricultural chemical inputs and mitigating climate change impact.
Key facts
- Global production of primary crops increased 61 percent since 2000
- Oil crop production reached 1.2 billion tonnes in 2023, highlighting agriculture's growing role as a source of bioeconomy feedstocks used in biofuels, cosmetics and other applications
- Absolute biomass extraction has nearly doubled in recent decades, increasing pressure on natural resources
- Bio-inputs, such as bio-based fertilizers and soil amendments, including biochar, can reduce agrochemical use, pollution and related emissions while improving crop productivity