IFFO’s Members’ Meeting, held on 13th and 14th May in Madrid, has just come to a close, with a record 267 delegates from 36 countries. Twenty-one speakers explored market trends and market drivers as well as the use of marine ingredients in animal farming and their role in human health.
Speakers highlighted aquaculture’s promising global perspectives for aquaculture: with a projected 22% growth by 2050, aquaculture will play a crucial role in maintaining aquatic animal consumption at current levels. “This expansion is not just necessary; it is achievable, thanks to the advancements in responsible practices and innovation. We now have tangible evidence that well-managed fisheries are delivering results. This is a testament to the effectiveness of science-based policies and industry collaboration”, Petter Martin, IFFO’s Director General, noted.
Presentations covered the growing efficiency in raw material use. Despite aquaculture’s rapid growth, it has not required increased volumes of fish from the ocean to produce fishmeal and fish oil. This is a direct result of the precision nutrition approach, where marine ingredients play a strategic role at key stages of fish growth, and which has become a cornerstone of aquafeed formulation.
With 40% of marine ingredients coming from fish by-products, the industry is looking at maximizing the value of marine resources and minimizing waste.
Key takeaways from IFFO’s Members’ Meeting are available on IFFO’s blog webpage. The next IFFO meeting will be its Annual Conference in Tokyo in October 2025.