June 11, 2008

Aquaculture presents top opportunity for soymeal
  
 

A growing shortage of fishmeal is gradually giving soymeal a firm stand in the aquaculture feed market.

Aquaculture is a striving industry and with that comes a growing demand for fishmeal, which is falling short of supplies.

Fishmeal is getting scarce and more costly, creating a market opportunity for more soymeal to be used as a protein source in fish and shrimp diets, according to Bill Coppess, director of the US United Soybean Board (USB).

Soymeal has increasingly become a key ingredient in fish feeds partly due to the research and marketing efforts of the soy Checkoff, which together with the USB are developing new uses and new demand for soy worldwide.

"Soy diets can also decrease the mercury levels in seafood, helping to alleviate some health concerns," Coppess said.

Meanwhile, Hawaiian-based aquaculture company Kona Blue has teamed up with the Checkoff.

"If 50 percent of the global expansion in aquaculture is high-end fish and 50 percent of their feed inclusion is soy, that could mean another US$7.5 billion worth of soy going to aquaculture," says Neil Sims, president of Kona Blue.