IFFO’s analysis on marine ingredient market trends

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 from January to July 2022. 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 for the period covering January-August 2022 given that China is by far the main market for marine ingredients.

Image credit: Radek Kucharski on Flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

Based on IFFO's membership, which accounts for 55 percent of global marine ingredients production, IFFO report for July 2022 that total raw material usage was 42 percent higher than the one reported in July 2021.

For the first seven months of 2022, total cumulative fishmeal production was slightly lower than in the same period in 2021, year on year, despite USA, India, the Iceland/North Atlantic area and the African countries reporting an increased cumulative production.

The 2022 total cumulative production of fish oil is in line with that of 2021: despite a drop in Peru, Chile and India, performances of the European countries, the USA and the African countries were above the 2021 figures for this period.

'The drop in Peru, both for fishmeal and for fish oil production, is due to a lower quota granted to the North-Centre of the country in the last quarter of 2021, which resulted in fewer catches in quarter one 2022. Additionally, the total catch in the same area of Peru in the period April-June 2022 was four percent smaller with respect to the same period in 2021' says Dr Enrico Bachis, IFFO's Market Research Director.

China's marine ingredients production and imports are expected to increase in September
Only some parts of the Chinese sea fishing grounds remain under a fishing moratorium as most regional bans have been lifted. Currently, domestic production of marine ingredients remains subdued and confined to the south, although activities are expected to pick up in all areas in September. 

Imports of foreign fishmeal have decreased during the first seven months of the year, but important tonnages are expected to reach Chinese shores in the coming weeks.

China's aquafeed production in 2022 remains at high levels compared with 2021 despite the series of heatwaves. Covid-19 lockdowns continue to limit consumers' access to both the retail and the foodservice facilities within the affected areas.

Pig and piglet prices showed some weakness in August after a four month hike. Supply is expected to grow larger than forecast by the authorities in 2022 while imported pork meat has continued to decline. High costs of feed ingredients and the weak demand explain the annual drop in the cumulative pig feed output.

For more information visit the IFFO website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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