Global Aquaculture: Feed, Equipment, & Chemicals

Report Overview

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Improved Aquafeeds, Equipment, Chemicals Key to Expanding Aquaculture Production

Gains will outpace those in aquaculture production as efforts to intensify fish farm production will lead to increased spending on aquaculture inputs. Improved aquafeeds, equipment, and chemicals will be key to boosting aquaculture outputs as rising demand for fish and stagnating production from global capture fisheries add pressure to the world aquaculture industry. Competition for feed resources and the limited availability of suitable land and water will continue to force the aquaculture industry to seek solutions that will intensify production sustainably.

Key Findings in the Global Aquaculture Study:

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems and Other Sophisticated Products will be Key to Production

Recirculating aquaculture systems; meters, feeders, and other equipment that reduce labor costs; and improved feed and other inputs will all be required to meet global demand for fish. These products allow fish farms to reduce labor costs, accelerate fish growth rates, and increase stocking densities, all of which will promote greater production levels without requiring substantially more land or water while also reducing the potential for environmental harm.

Higher Stocking Densities Will Increase Risks of Aquaculture Diseases

Increased numbers of fish in an aquaculture system will raise the risk of outbreaks of costly diseases such as infectious salmon anemia virus and white spot syndrome, as well as sea lice and other health hazards that have challenged aquaculture production over the past decade. Innovations in water quality management – including the use of specialty treatment chemicals, disinfection equipment, and circulation systems – and improvements to immunity supplements, aquafeed formulations, and pharmaceuticals will all be crucial to reduce the risk of outbreaks of these diseases.

Innovations in Aquafeed to Address Fish Meal and Fish Oil Challenges

Supplies of fish meal and fish oil for use in aquafeeds have been threatened by rising demand for these products in other applications and by declining global capture fishery production of anchovies and other fish used for the production of fish meal and fish oil. At the same time, rising demand for shrimp, salmon, and other carnivorous fish has increased the need for these products. Improved aquafeeds with innovative blends of plant proteins such as soy, land animal protein, and other ingredients will be key to keep feed conversion ratios low, maintain healthy fish growth rates, and reduce the incidence of disease.

Study Coverage

This study presents historical demand data (2007, 2012, and 2017) and forecasts for 2022 by region, product – aquafeed, equipment (habitats, pumps, filters, and meters) and chemicals (water treatment chemicals, aquafeed supplements, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers) – and market (hatcheries, intensive grow-out aquaculture, and extensive grow-out aquaculture). The study also evaluates company market share and analyzes industry competitors including Bayer, BioMar, Cargill, Charoen Pokphand, CP Prima, Ebara, Grobest, Grundfos, Merck, Nutreco, Pentair, Royal DSM, Tongwei, and Xylem.

What does this aquaculture study cover?

• aquafeeds (commercial aquafeeds only)
• equipment (habitats, pumps, filters, meters, and other equipment)
• chemicals (water treatment chemicals, aquafeed supplements, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers)

Aquafeed demand is further broken out into demand by feed ingredients, including fish meal, fish oil, and other ingredients. Demand for supplies and equipment is also shown by market, including hatcheries, extensive grow-out aquaculture, and intensive grow-out aquaculture. Hatchery demand figures reflect supplies and equipment demand for fish farms with hatchery operations only; farms that produce fry, fingerlings, and adults are included in grow-out aquaculture.

In addition, aquaculture production figures in both value and volume terms only include finfish and shellfish aquaculture and exclude production of aquatic plants, aquatic non-fish animals, and aquatic animal products. Volume production figures represent whole-fish volumes before processing, while value production figures are based on farm-gate pricing.

What are the key definitions you need to know?

Anadromous

Fish that spend their adult lives in salt water, but return to freshwater to spawn.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic and marine animals; for the purposes of this study, aquaculture includes finfish and shellfish and excludes marine mammals and seaweed.

Aquafeeds

Manufactured feeds for aquaculture species; may include farm-made or commercial aquafeeds. For the purposes of this study, only commercial aquafeeds are included.

Aquaponics

Systems that combine aquaculture with hydroponics (raising plants in water).

Capture Fisheries

The harvesting of naturally occurring fish and other marine and aquatic organisms.

Catadromous

Fish that spend their adult lives in freshwater, but return to salt water to spawn.

Diadromous

Fish that spend part of their lives in freshwater and part of their lives in salt water; includes anadromous and catadromous fish.

Extensive Aquaculture

Aquaculture that relies on no commercial aquafeeds; may include the use of farm-made feeds or fertilizers to supplement fish nutrition.

Finfish

Bony or cartilaginous fish.

Fisheries

All aquatic and marine resources; includes fish production from both aquaculture and capture fisheries.

Farm-Gate

Prices paid at the farm level. May refer to the prices paid by fish farmers for supplies and equipment; may also refer to the market prices received by fish farmers for fish products.

Feed Conversion Ratio

The number of kilograms of aquafeed required to raise one kilogram of fish.

Feed Supplements

Additional vitamins and other nutraceuticals purchased by fish farmers to supplement commercial aquafeeds or for inclusion in farm-made feeds.

Fish Seed

Fish eggs, spawn, larva, fry, and fingerlings.

Grow-Out Aquaculture

Aquaculture operations dedicated to the production of fully grown adult fish; may include some on-site hatchery operations.

Hatchery

An aquaculture operation dedicated to the production of fish seed.

Intensive Aquaculture

Aquaculture that relies on commercial aquafeeds for part or all of a fish’s diet.

Monoculture

The farming of a single fish type in an aquaculture system.

Polyculture

The farming of multiple fish types in an aquaculture system.

Raceways

Artificial channels used in aquaculture; may also be called flow-through systems.

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Aquaculture systems that treat and reuse water in a closed loop.

Shellfish

Aquatic or marine mollusks and crustaceans.