With an average annual growth rate of 14% since year 2000, pundits indubitably consider aquaculture as the fastest growing agro-industry in the world.  Figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization show that global aquaculture production grew from 16.8 million tonnes in 1990 to 65.2 million tonnes in 2007. In 2008, the sector accounted 40% of 140 million tonnes in global fish production worth US$100 billion with Asia raking in 90% of the world aquaculture production and 30% of the global aquaculture species. The sector's rapid development also paved way for the growth of related sectors such as aquafeed industry as well as feed-based aquaculture farming particularly in China and the whole of Asia.

 

It is in this light that the American Soybean Association (ASA) highlighted aquaculture's vast potentials during the Southeast Asia Aquaculture Conference held August 2-5 at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel in Manila, Philippines.  The occasion showcased the driving forces behind global aquaculture growth and forecasts for the future of the industry and among the conference's main focus was the global perspective of feed-based aquaculture which was presented by Michael Cremer, PhD, global aquaculture technical director of the US Soybean Export Council.  Dr. Cremer revealed that in 2009, world aquaculture production from 2005 to 2009 represented 3 million tonnes of production growth or equivalent of additional aquafeed demand of 4 million to 4.5 million tonnes. Among the species that posted gains last year, Dr. Cremer cited shrimp production which was up 18% to 3.43 million tonnes with Southeast Asia (SEA) being the largest production region, accounting for 1.35 million tonnes. China was the biggest single producing nation with 1.25 million tonnes while Thailand and Vietnam were the biggest producers in SEA with 445,000 tonnes and 418,000 tonnes respectively. He also mentioned notable increase in world tilapia production which gained 30% to 2.6 million tonnes with China as the largest producer, accounting for 1.1 million tonnes. Egypt was the second biggest tilapia producer with 220,000 tonnes followed by Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand with a total output of 150,000 tonnes.

 

Since personal income over the years were growing, people were demanding more and higher quality aqua products.  For this reason, feed demand also grew and by 1990, Cremer said some simple feeds were being used and production had grown to 4.5 million tonnes. However, most fish were still cultured in traditional polyculture pond systems without feed. But due to increasing demand for freshwater production, particularly in China, 60% of production was now feed-taking species, paving way for a for modern aquafeed milling industry. At this point, Cremer tells fishmeal was the dominant protein source for aquafeeds but it was already evident that an industry that is quickly growing cannot continue its dependence on fishmeal. Cremer points out that demand for fishmeal for aquafeeds would quickly exceed the global fishmeal supply just for China hence alternative protein sources were required. In an overview of China's aquaculture sector, Cremer reports that the country's freshwater production is at 21 million tonnes annually and continues to have growth potential. Seventy five percent of production is feed-taking species and will need at least 20 million tonnes of feed. Protein requirement for aquafeed is less than 10 million tonnes annually but this protein requirement for China exceeds global fishmeal production by 70% and this situation has pushed China to replace fishmeal in freshwater feeds with renewal plant ingredient. According to Cremer, at least 6 million tonnes of soymeal is now used annually in fish feeds, in addition to significant quantities of wheat, corn and other plant products. He also disclosed that for the last three years, China has been using all-plant protein fingerling feeds such as soy protein   concentrate for the traditional 8% to 20% fishmeal conclusion. Aside from China, Cremer says another Asian giant is also focusing towards feed-based aquaculture. In the last five years, aquaculture production in India grew 45% from 2.31 million tonnes in 2003 to 3.35 million tonnes in 2007. From manure-based production, Indian aquaculture farmers have moved to the adoption of feed-based technologies and thus ignited expansion of its extrusion aquafeed milling capacity in the past five years. As of 2010, India has already six aqua feed mills with each plant operating at a 150,000 tonne-capacity. The country's top species are milkfish, tilapia and pangasius catfish but there is a growing marine fish cage industry and increased use of feed.

 

But it is not only Asia that is exhibiting growth for feed-based aquaculture. Cremer says Europe, Mexico, Chile, Middle East and Eurasia are also showcasing growth for feed-based aquaculture farming which makes the industry very promising. Moreover, the depletion of marine resources is a good basis to shift to aquaculture as experts believe world population will grow an additional 3 billion 2030. At this point, the possibility of ocean-based aquaculture is being explored and best opportunities lie in Southeast Asia due to ocean water quality, climate, large ocean areas outside the typhoon belt, access to major markets, existing infrastructure and the region's strong history of aquaculture. But for ocean aquaculture and other aquaculture farming for that matter to become successful, some strategies should be observed and one such is feeding wherein it should shift from marine meal and oil stocks to renewable, plant protein and oil ingredients. Cremer tells expanded research support for alternatives is also needed, particularly on fishmeal, wherein production is expected to drop further this year.  But the fishmeal's limitation should be an advantage for industry players to set its sights to other substitutes which are renewable, can be extruded and consumer safe. Soy, for one, has taken advantage, shares Cremer, as demand for soy-based products such as soymeal, soy protein concentrate (SPC), soy oil and soy lecithin have been on the rise. As freshwater feeds are predicted to be all plant-protein rations, Cremer boldly projects that SPC is to reach 2.5 million tonnes by 2020. Cremer's statement is supported by the World Aquaculture Magazine which quotes that "soy protein use is forecast to grow from meeting one-third of aquaculture protein needs at present, to supplying one half of global requirements by 2020"; and that "market value of soy proteins is projected to quadruple to US$4.7 billion by 2020, with SPC accounting one third of its value."

 

While aquaculture is deemed as the future of fish farming, soy-based and plant-based feeds may also bode well for the aqua feed industry.