BioMar commits to using insect meal in shrimp feed
Feed giant links up with Innovafeed and European retailer Auchan to open the door for black soldier fly as a functional ingredient
Feed producer BioMar, black soldier fly farmer Innovafeed, and European retailer Auchan have committed to the large-scale integration of insect protein into commercial shrimp feed in Ecuador.
The companies said the move marks a turning point for both the insect and aquaculture industries, demonstrating that insect protein is a viable part of the solution in responsible and resilient shrimp farming.
As well as providing protein, insect meal contains functional nutrients such as antimicrobial peptides. Recent research from BioMar showed a unique functional benefit in shrimp feeds, making it possible to substitute it for a similarly valued ingredient currently in use.
Market competitive
Although insect meal is currently more expensive than some other protein sources, the added value of its functional benefit offers insect meal a viable market entry position in shrimp feeds at its current market price.
From there, it’s possible to scale insect meal and hopefully make it market competitive in the protein ingredient segment in the future, but for now, it can play a vital role in the functional ingredient segment in aquafeeds.
Auchan will support the rollout by integrating shrimp raised on this next-generation feed into its responsible sourcing strategy and product offering. The store chain has been a supporter of insects in feed for several years, offering insect-fed trout among its products.
Shared ambition
The companies said their commitment reflects a shared ambition to accelerate the shift toward a circular, resilient, and low-impact protein model, reducing dependence on wild-caught fish and conventional agricultural resources, while upholding rigorous sustainability standards and promoting responsible shrimp farming.
Clément Ray, chief executive and co-founder of Innovafeed, and Elizaveta Le Floch, chief business officer, said the partnership is a defining moment for the insect and aquaculture industries.
“By combining our technology with BioMar’s aquafeed expertise and Auchan’s retail leadership, we’re proving that sustainable shrimp farming can be scaled, economically viable, and consumer-ready.”
Henrik Aarestrup, BioMar’s vice president Latin America for shrimp and hatchery, said alternative ingredients like insect meal will play a vital role in in the sustainable future of the aquaculture industry.
“Working together with Auchan and Innovafeed we have established a viable commercial model for insect meal. It was important to design a scalable model that leveraged the unique functional benefits of black soldier fly in shrimp diets. Any shrimp farmer purchasing BioMar feeds from Ecuador can leverage this commercial opportunity.”
