Total fishmeal and fish oil production in January 2021 surpassed that of the previous January, according to IFFO statistics.
Peru, Chile, the Northern European region and the African countries reported an improvement in terms of available raw material in January 2021 compared to January 2020.
Conversely, the USA reported a big drop following poorer landings in Alaska. The US menhaden fishing season is due to open in April.
Thanks to better-than-average landings in Peru and Chile, both total fishmeal and fish oil production in January 2021 (including salmon-based meal and oil) were far greater than in January 2020.
In China, demand for seafood remains robust and aquafeed production is expected to pick up mid-March.
Domestic fishmeal production was subdued before and after the Spring Festival. Operations resumed in Shandong and Zhejiang following the holidays, while the Liaoning fishmeal plants won’t resume operations until September due to the lack of raw material. Supply of domestic fishmeal in the first quarter of 2021 might not improve with respect to the first quarter of 2020.
Pig feed production was on the rise at the beginning of the year, but recent African Swine Fever outbreaks appear to have affected its consumption both in February and March.
Aquafeed output remains subdued for the time being, as aquaculture is still in its low season. From the second half of March IFFO expects aquafeed production to pick up. The rise of the aquatic products price signals the strength of the demand for seafood, helped by the recovery of the food service in China.
