01 Rising regulatory and certification focus (MSC/ASC) and traceability/CSR demands The global market is increasingly shaped by stringent regulatory and certification requirements, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standards. These certifications ensure sustainable fishing practices, responsible sourcing, and minimal environmental impact, which are becoming critical factors for market acceptance.In addition, buyers and retailers are demanding full traceability throughout the supply chain, promoting transparency and ethical practices. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives further encourage companies to adopt sustainable sourcing policies, reduce overfishing, and protect marine biodiversity. Compliance with these regulations and certifications enhances brand reputation, facilitates access to international markets, and strengthens long-term supply chain stability.
01 Continued expansion of global aquaculture The continued expansion of global aquaculture stands as a key driver of the fishmeal market. As wild fish stocks reach sustainable limits, aquaculture has become essential to meet rising global seafood demand. Fishmeal remains a critical component in aquafeed due to its high protein content, digestibility, and essential amino acids that promote rapid growth and health in farmed species.This growth underscores the escalating demand for high-quality feed inputs like fishmeal, driving consistent market expansion across both developing and developed aquaculture economies.
01 Competition from alternatives (insect, microbial, plant oils) The global market faces significant restraint from the growing development and adoption of alternative protein sources. Insect meal, single-cell proteins, and plant-based oils are increasingly being used as partial or full replacements for traditional fishmeal in aquaculture feeds. These alternatives are often more sustainable, cost-effective, and less dependent on volatile marine fisheries, making them attractive to feed manufacturers.Technological advancements in processing and formulation have improved the nutritional profiles of these substitutes, allowing them to meet the dietary requirements of farmed fish. As awareness of environmental impacts and sustainability grows, the shift toward these alternatives is expected to gradually constrain traditional fishmeal demand, especially in price-sensitive and environmentally-conscious markets.
01 Scale up of by-product/processing-residue fishmeal production The fishmeal industry is increasingly focusing on scaling up production using by-products and processing residues, which allows for more sustainable and cost-efficient operations. A notable development in this trend is the growing utilization of fish processing by-products, such as heads, tails, and frames, to produce fishmeal. By 2025, these by-products accounted for 37% of total fishmeal and fish oil production, reflecting a strategic shift towards more efficient use of marine resources.Thus, expanding such models globally offers substantial growth potential.
March 2026 Austevoll Seafood expanded its fishmeal and marine ingredient operations with improved production capabilities designed to support aquaculture feed, animal nutrition, and sustainable seafood supply chains.
January 2026 Mowi expanded its aquaculture nutrition initiatives with advanced marine ingredient solutions, including fishmeal-based feed products designed to improve fish health and farming efficiency.
October 2025 Biomega Group expanded its marine protein and fishmeal production capabilities with sustainable processing technologies designed for aquaculture, pet food, and animal nutrition applications.
August 2025 TripleNine expanded its fishmeal and fish oil portfolio with enhanced marine protein solutions supporting global aquaculture feed production and sustainable ingredient sourcing.