For the fourth year running, the IFFO family is continuing to grow, reaching out to developing markets in Asia and expanding to new businesses within the marine ingredients sphere. Membership now stretches across sixty countries, with companies ranging from the world’s largest fish oil and fish meal producers to local traders, financial institutions and new emerging markets such as algae-derivatives. This growth has happened while consolidation, mergers and acquisitions have reduced the number of companies producing marine ingredients, the organization stressed..
Over fifty years ago, when IFFO was first formed, originally as the International Association of Fish Meal Manufacturers, there was no aquaculture industry using fishmeal as a key ingredient of farmed fish feed and fish oil was not yet considered as a health supplement for human diets. Both are now major markets and have stimulated a widening of the raw materials used to produce the valuable marine proteins and oils. At the same time, the markets have more choices and expect more transparency than ever before, creating challenges and opportunities for the industry.
From a historical base in Europe and later Latin America, USA and South Africa, IFFO is now engaging companies in Asia, with their South East Asia base growing through its Beijing office with new members including CP Foods, the largest feed producer in Asia, and Haid Group, one of China’s top five feed companies.
Another key factor has been the need for third party certification to demonstrate responsible sourcing of raw materials and good manufacturing practice. The IFFO Responsible Supply Scheme, launched in 2009, has also attracted many companies and represents approximately 40% of the global production, with over 100 plants certified by independent audit against the standard.
To ensure that IFFO continues to represent the leading companies within the sector, IFFO said it practises a strict screening process for all applications along with a Code of Conduct for existing members. With a strong history and the continuing growth of this industry, IFFO said it looks forward to serving its members for the next fifty years.
Map of Headquarters of IFFO members
Legend for the map:
- Red markers = cities where Producer members are based;
- Blue markers = cities where Associate members are based;
- Purple markers = cities where both Producer and Associate members are based.
