Fishmeal and fish oil production in January 2026 decreased in the countries analysed by IFFO in the reports it dedicates to its Members*, except for the Denmark/Norway area and the USA. Despite the positive fishing effort in the South, Peruvian output has remained below previous year´s levels also in February. “The anchovy biomass evaluation in the North-Centre remains underway, with official announcements on quotas and starting dates of the new fishing season in 2026 expected during the first half of April”, Enrico Bachis, Market Research Director at IFFO explained.

* This data is based on statistics shared by IFFO members in Chile, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Norway, the UK, the USA, Peru, South Africa and Spain, accounting for 40% of global fishmeal production and 50% of fish oil output. 

China’s aquafeed production on the rise, likely to drive fishmeal demand

China’s domestic marine ingredients production remains subdued in 2026. Its fishmeal imports decreased while fish oil imports, mostly destined to direct human consumption, increased significantly year on year.

Domestic aquaculture and aquafeed production through February 2026 are estimated to have increased year-on-year. Demand for aquafeed is driven by the currently high level of farmed fish inventories held for overwintering. Under the current conditions, first-quarter 2026 demand for fishmeal, particularly in the South China market, is expected to show solid year-on-year growth.