PT Aqua eyes new markets and showcases a longlife soft feed
The Dublin-based company is expanding its reach and its product range
The Irish company PT Aqua used this year’s Aqua Nor trade show in Trondheim to showcase new feed solutions and underline its philosophy of being close to fish farmers.
Speaking at the Irish pavilion during Aqua Nor, chief operations officer Gareth Giles and business and innovation development director Julio Docando Valencia outlined the company’s latest initiatives and its ambitions in a rapidly evolving aquaculture sector.
Expanding in the Middle East
PT Aqua is headquartered in Dublin and operates warehouses in both Oslo and Amsterdam. Established in 2009, the company has built a strong position in Scandinavia and the Mediterranean, and now sees major opportunities in the Middle East.
“We are growing in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, where there are many new projects under way. Farmers there are working with species that tolerate higher temperatures, such as seriola and local species,” said Docando.
In Norway, PT Aqua is particularly involved in cleaner fish, cod and halibut, while in the Mediterranean it focuses on species such as seabass, bream, turbot and sole.
New soft feed
One of the highlights at Aqua Nor was the presentation of a new soft feed with high moisture content but an unusually long shelf life. It is made by World Feeds at Thorne, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, which also manufactures the cleaner fish feed blocks sold by PT Aqua.
“The feed contains more than 20% moisture but still has a two-year shelf life. This makes it particularly valuable for species such as cod and halibut, which are often difficult to adapt to new diets,” explained Docando.
Selling solutions, not just feed
For PT Aqua, growth is not just about adding more products to its portfolio.
“We always say that we don’t just sell feed, we sell solutions to problems. That is our philosophy,” said Giles.
The company is also working on a potential artemia replacement, currently undergoing trials, which it believes could provide hatcheries with a simpler and more predictable option.
Close to the farmers
A cornerstone of PT Aqua’s strategy is direct engagement with its customers.
“You can order anything online today, but we believe it’s essential to visit farmers, see the fish and understand the challenges on site. If you’re not there, you don’t really know what’s happening,” said Giles.
“We travel a lot, and we enjoy it. Building relationships and following up closely is key. If the farmers are happy, we’re happy,” added Docando.
Partnerships and tailored feeds
PT Aqua works with several partners to develop specialised diets. Among them is Portuguese company Sparos, which has created feeds tailored for ballan wrasse – a species considered challenging to rear.
“We’ve had very good results with Sparos’ Winrass diet for ballan wrasse and lumpfish, including trials with the Onerheim Alsaker group in Norway,” said Giles.
Valencia also pointed out that demand is increasing for customised feeds for smaller-scale production, an area where the large feed companies are often less flexible.
Experience and perspective
Docando has more than 25 years of experience in aquaculture in southern Europe, while Giles has a background in seafood trading and processing.
“I’ve spent my whole life buying and selling seafood, but I had little idea of how demanding the life of a hatchery manager or fish farmer actually is. Producing fish from egg to several kilos is a very different challenge than just buying the final product,” said Giles.
“We are always learning. Aquaculture is in constant development, and that is what makes it so exciting,” added Docando.