Peru quota limits world supply of fishmeal, IFFO says

World production of fishmeal was slightly lower for the first seven months of this year, compared with the same period in 2021, according to the monthly survey from the international marine ingredients organisation IFFO.

The IFFO survey also reports that total raw material usage – including for fish oil as well as fishmeal – was 42% up for July compared with July 2021.

The overall decline in fishmeal production this year is due mainly to a reduced production on the part of Peru, IFFO said.

Dr Enrico Bachis, IFFO’s Market Research Director, explained: “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 4% smaller with respect to the same period in 2021.”

Increased cumulative production of fishmeal in Europe, the USA and Africa was not enough to offset the fall in output from Peru.

Cumulative production of fish oil looks to be in line with figures for 2021, the IFFO said, with increases in Europe, the USA and Africa compensating for declines in Peru, Chile and India this year.

China, by far the biggest market for marine ingredients, is expected to increase both its production and imports. The IFFO said that 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.

The IFFO added: “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.”