De Heus holds groundbreaking ceremony for first Ugandan aquafeed plant

July 7, 2023 - De Heus Animal Nutrition has successfully held the groundbreaking ceremony for their new plant in Njeru. this state-of-the-art facility will be the first dedicated aquafeed plant in Uganda and marks an important milestone for them.

At full capacity, the plant will have the capability to produce approximately 50 thousand metric tons of fish feed per year, catering to the growing demand in the East African market. De Heus says that they are proud to contribute to the nutrition and food security of Uganda, as fish plays a vital role in the country's diet. With the wild catch stagnating or decreasing and the population rapidly growing, farmed fish has become crucial to meet the increasing demand. 

Uganda possesses immense potential for aquaculture, given its large lakes and favourable water temperatures that support year-round fish farming. By launching this plant, we aim to provide a positive boost to the aquaculture industry in Uganda and the surrounding countries. Although the industry has shown promising growth in recent years, it requires affordable and reliable quality feeds for further development. Currently, most feeds are imported, but the local factory will offer a shorter, more flexible supply chain

"At De Heus we believe in the potential of Africa and that is why we are investing in expanding our footprint: in South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, and recently with modern factories in Ghana and Ivory Coast. And now in Uganda." Said Theo Smalbraak, Business Group Director Africa & Middle East.

The impact of this plant goes beyond employment at the facility itself. The company anticipates a significant positive effect on employment among fish farmers and their suppliers, as they aim to replace imports and source raw materials such as maize, cassava, soy, and others locally as much as possible.

De Heus combines global experience and expertise with a rich background in Dutch agricultural innovation. We firmly believe in the potential of Africa, which is why we continue to invest in expanding our footprint across the continent. In addition to their presence in South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, they say they are now proud to establish ourselves in Uganda.

The Aquaculturists

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