July 14, 2015 — The booming $170 billion aquaculture industry could face a shortfall of fish meal and fish oil for feed as early as 2016, and demand could outpace fish meal supply by up to 16 MMT (Million Metric Tons) in 2025. The mismatch will hasten the opportunities for alternative sources of feed such as plant proteins, algae and even insects, according to Lux Research.
Fish meal and fish oil are the lifeblood of the aquaculture feed industry, and demand is growing at 8% annually. The demand for fish meal will nearly double by 2025, creating a need for over one million tons of alternative high-protein meal.
“The future of fish feed is a blend of alternatives — no single source will dominate as fish meal has,” said Sara Olson, Lux Research Analyst and lead author of the report titled, “Tightening Fish Meal Supply Creates Opportunities for Aquaculture Feed Alternatives.”