IFFO reported that in March 2022, the overall performance of the countries analyzed by IFFO was in line with the 2013-2021 average for the same month. The country's sample, based on the IFFO membership, covers approximately 50% of the world's production and can be taken as a proxy for global trends. Overall, the raw material used in March 2022 by the countries considered in this report was 6% lower when compared to the same month in 2021.

In terms of fishmeal, India, the Iceland/North Atlantic area and the African countries were the only regions considered in this report which increased their cumulative production during the first three months of 2022. In terms of fish oil, the U.S., the Northern European area and the African countries were the regions that reported a year-over-year increase.

“This is mainly due to a slow start in Peru, as the quota granted in the last quarter of 2021 was almost completely landed by the end of 2021. Usually, part of the quota is fished in January, and sometimes even in February,” explained Enrico Bachis, IFFO’s market research director.

China’s aquaculture season has started amid disruptions

The aquaculture season started in April amid disruptions to nationwide logistics chains caused by the enforcement of a zero-COVID policy, lockdowns and travel restrictions. Unstable weather conditions are having a negative effect on aquaculture in the South of China, where farming activities are carried out all year long. 

Fishing activities will resume in September. During the moratorium, marine ingredients production is majorly based on byproducts from farmed species in South China. Imports of fishmeal appear to have decreased in the first quarter, following the international logistics crisis and weakening domestic demand in the first quarter.