Fishmeal production down while Peru calls early halt to anchovy season
Fishmeal and fish oil production for May were down year on year, according to the international marine ingredients organisation IFFO. Meanwhile, the authorities in Peru have brought an end to the anchovy season in the north-central region, to protect spawning fish.
According to IFFO’s market intelligence reports, the total cumulative fishmeal production in May this year decreased by approximately 2% compared to the same period in 2024. This decline was mainly driven by lower output in Peru and Northern European countries. All other regions reported year-on-year growth in fishmeal production over the same period.
As for fish oil, total cumulative output for the year through May 2025 slightly decreased year on year. Similarly to fishmeal, most countries showed a positive trend compared to January–May 2024, but this was nearly offset by declines in the performance of European countries and Peru. In the case of Peru, the lower oil yields reported during the current season played a significant role in the decline.
Production of marine ingredients in China for the first half of this year was down, partly thanks to continuing fishing bans along the coast, IFFO said.
Dr Enrico Bachis, IFFO’s Market Research Director said: “IFFO’s 2025 estimates for fishmeal and fish oil remain at 5.6 million [metric] tons of fishmeal and 1.2-1.3 million tons of fish oil.”
Production and demand have both been subdued
The decision to end the anchovy fishing season in north-central Peru on 23 July came after a large number of juveniles were found in catches. More than 80% of the 3-million-mt anchovy quota has already been fulfilled in the north-central region, while the second fishing season has officially opened in the south.
IFFO’s latest report said: “Demand for aquafeed has not increased much in the first half of 2025. Several factors contribute to this subdued outlook, starting from a smaller carryover stock of farmed species from the year 2024, farmers’ active sales to take advantage of partial price recoveries, and delayed spring stocking due to lower temperatures.
“However, the increased stocking activity in the first half of this year, coupled with declining feed costs and a more optimistic outlook for profitability, suggests that aquafeed demand might rebound in the second half of 2025.
“Overall, total aquafeed demand for the year may surpass that of 2024, boding well for a robust demand for marine ingredients too.”
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