BioMar backs insect meal – if price is right
INSECT meal is a viable source of alternative protein in aqua feeds, said BioMar, but only if the price became competitive.
The feed company recently completed the testing of insect meal, which it began in 2015, and believes it shows promise.
It is one of several novel ingredients, including algae oil and single cell proteins, that BioMar has been investigating.
The company said these raw materials can address some of the needs of the market and it is now eager to speed up their adoption through the creation of innovative feed solutions.
Michel Autin, technical director at BioMar’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa division said: ‘Innovation, of course, comes at a cost, but farmers who are the first movers with insect meal will benefit from a strong market position.
‘Insect meal has a future as an alternative protein source in aquaculture feeds if the price of this new raw material can be kept at reasonable limits.
‘We have good test results on insect meal originating from black soldier flies, mealworms and others, which makes it a promising raw material.’