IFFO’s analysis on marine ingredient market trends (May 2021)

A taste of the many statistics and analyses that can be found in the market intelligence reports that IFFO dedicates to its members is reported below, covering IFFO’s analysis on marine ingredient market trends. They include an analysis of both the supply and demand sides of the market, with research focusing also on the global trends of animal farming and fish catches, agri-commodities, commodities’ prices and general macro-economic conditions. A specific and additional focus is made on China given that China is by far the main market for marine ingredients.

London, 6 July 2021

The total cumulative productions of the countries considered in IFFO’s Market report from January to May 2021 were higher year on year: fishmeal up by 48%, fish oil up by 51%. This growth has mostly been driven by a much improved performance in Peru, with an earlier start of its first fishing season in the North-centre of the country. Aside from Peru, Chile and India were the only other countries to report a higher cumulative production over this same period.

In China, domestic production continues to rely on by-products, with operations suspended at Shandong and Liaoning provinces and much subdued in Zhejiang province due to lack of by-products. Imports of fishmeal therefore continue to increase in recent weeks with record-high levels of port stocks reported. The demand for aquatic products in China has continued to rise in recent weeks, supporting in turn their prices. Aquafeed output has increased month on month, with the second shrimp fingerlings stocking starting in south China. Shrimp prices have been volatile in June due fluctuations on the demand side. Pig farming continues to recover and is on track to be at pre-African Swine Fever levels soon. Swine stocks in May was up by 23% year on year, with the swine stock is estimated to be back to over 400 million heads. As a consequence, pig feed production continues to grow.