March 29, 2006

US soy industry pushing for more soy use in Asian aquaculture

If the United Soybean Board (USB) and the soy checkoff have their way, soymeal could find its way into the fishfeed soon. 

Soymeal holds vast potential for aquaculture in Asia, according to USB director Karen Fear, pointing to China's huge aquaculture industry as an example. China did not use any soy in their feed ten years ago but it is now widely used, thanks to checkoff-funded programmes which demonstrated the benefits of soymeal.

The soy in aquaculture programme began five years ago following the successful introduction of soy in Chinese aquaculture. Besides introduction of soymeal to salmon and trouts, research is now also being conducted to increase the soybean meal inclusion in shrimp diets.

Meanwhile, projects like the Ocean Cage Aquaculture Technology (OCAT) and other activities are promoting soy in the aqua industries of India, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The OCAT project uses ocean cage technology that allows farmers to produce fish in the open ocean using floating, soy-based feeds, creating huge opportunities for fish farmers.

Soymeal is particularly suited to aquaculture feeds due to its high protein levels and amino acids. Soymeal use in aquafeeds overall is expected to increase to 35 percent to 40 percent because of quality and lower costs compared with traditional protein meals.

Rising prices of fishmeal precipitated by dwindling global fish supplies is forcing fish farmers to look for alternative sources of feeds.