A joint German and Kenyan venture, DiscoverAqua, will establish a state-of-the-art aquafeed plant at Athi River, Machakos County, Kenya. Bühler has secured the contract for a plant with a capacity of more than 20 tons per hour. Once operational in the third quarter of 2026, the facility will become the largest aquafeed plant in East Africa and the second in Africa.
The plant will produce a wide variety of feeds designed to meet the needs of freshwater and marine aquaculture. These include floating pellets. It will also manufacture sinking, slow-sinking pellets for column and bottom-feeders, specialized larva and juvenile feeds for hatchery, and supplementary, farm-made feeds tailored for large to small-scale producers across all farming modes such as cages, raceways, and green ponds. High-quality, nutritious diets will be developed to support fast growth and immune health, which will significantly reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the circular economy.
DiscoverAqua aims to supply not only the Kenyan market but also neighboring countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and other Western African countries, with its diversified portfolio.
Addressing key challenges
East Africa’s aquaculture sector is under pressure from rapid population growth and rising demand for fish. The region’s population is expected to double from 175 million to 350 million by 2050, driving fish consumption from 10 million tons today to an estimated 16-29 million tons annually across Africa. With more than 40% of current fish consumption dependent on imports, the need for domestic feed and aquaculture production has never been greater.
“Our vision is clear: to empower East Africa’s aquaculture sector with reliable, affordable, and nutritionally optimized feed, designed for local conditions, built with local ingredients, and backed by science,” the company said.
To support farmers, the venture will complement feed production with technical services aimed at building trust, improving productivity, and ensuring long-term loyalty. “More than 70% of fish farmers in East Africa cite poor feed quality and high costs as their biggest hurdles. We’re here to change that, with locally sourced formulations that reduce feed costs by up to 30% and improve feed conversion ratios by over 20%,” the company said.
Farmers will gain access to customized feed formulations adapted to species, growth stages, and local conditions, along with on-farm performance trials and expert advice on feeding schedules and ration sizes. Training programs, farmer field days, and on-site consultations will share best practices in farm management, while water quality testing and biosecurity services will help maintain healthy production environments. Digital tools, such as mobile advisory services, real-time record keeping, and remote support platforms, will make technical guidance more accessible.
“This isn’t just a feed mill; it’s a knowledge hub. We’re rolling out mobile advisory services, on-site training, and digital tools to help farmers make smarter decisions and grow healthier fish,” the company added.
By investing in R&D, sourcing certified ingredients, and validating feed efficiency through trials, the facility aims to build a reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality feeds. Specially formulated diets aim to improve feed conversion ratios and minimize waste, while the integration of local ingredients such as cassava, sunflower cake, insect proteins, fishmeal, and soy will help reduce dependency on costly imports.
“We’re not just feeding fish; we’re feeding the future. By replacing imported fishmeal with sustainable alternatives like insect protein and oilseed byproducts, we’re cutting carbon footprints and supporting local agriculture,” the company emphasized.
Distribution remains another weak point in the industry. The company plans to strengthen supply chains by building regional depots and ensuring reliable delivery through partnerships with agro-dealers, cooperatives, and transporters. Flexible purchasing options and storage solutions, including bulk discounts and credit schemes, will help farmers manage seasonal demand fluctuations. “We’ve built a decentralized distribution model with regional depots and agro-dealer partnerships to ensure that no farmer is left behind, whether they’re in Kisumu, Kilifi, or Kitale,” the company said.
Looking ahead, the partners see the project as a catalyst for regional growth. “Aquaculture in East Africa is projected to grow by 12% annually. With this mill, we’re not just riding that wave, we’re helping shape it, creating jobs, boosting food security, and unlocking export potential,” the company concluded.
Overview of Bühler Group
Bühler Group is a Swiss family-owned technology company founded in 1860, specializing in process engineering solutions for the food, feed, and advanced materials industries. Bühler's aquafeed solutions target the growing aquaculture industry, providing gentle extrusion processes that preserve nutrients for premium fish and shrimp feeds. They design and install full plants for floating, sinking, and slow-sinking pellets tailored to species like salmon, trout, shrimp, and seawater fish.
- Extrusion Technology: Twin-screw extruders (e.g., PolyTwin, EcoTwin, CompacTwin) offer 24/7 reliability for precise cooking and shaping, ensuring nutrient retention and customizable pellet densities.
- Specialized Feeds: Solutions for micropellets, shrimp pellets, and by-product compaction from oilseed extraction, enhancing storage and transport.
- Application Centers: Facilities like the Extrusion Application Center allow testing for optimal aquafeed formulations.
These technologies support efficient, sustainable production amid rising global demand for aquaculture products.
