Australian researchers have developed a lupin-based fish feed being exported to Japan, Norway and Thailand. It is predicted that there would be enormous growth in demand of this fish feed over the next decade. Department of Fisheries research scientist Brett Glencross states that almost half the fish consumed globally came from fish farms, with the aquaculture industry growing 10 percent a year.
According to Dr Glencross the use of WA lupins had risen from very small tonnages in 2000 to 5000-10,000 tonnes in recent years for the domestic aquaculture sector, but the real growth area was the export market. It is informed that the world’s biggest lupin dehulling plant opened in Forrestfield last year as a joint venture between bulk grain handler CBH and food giant George Weston Foods, with the aquaculture industry expected to be a key market.
Mark Pontifex, lupin trading manager for CBH’s marketing arm Grain Pool, expressed that two poor seasons had drastically cut WA’s lupin crop. He pointed out that aquaculture is definitely promising and the company has had interest from key markets, including Europe, and also Asia.
