This second edition of the FAMI-QS Newsletter is now available for download

Farm-raised Atlantic salmon maintains its healthy levels of omega-3 fatty acids when baked, US researchers find

Global soybean production is projected at 285.5 million tons, up 6 percent. The Argentina soybean crop is projected at 54.5 million tons, up 3.5 million from 2012/13 on record planted area and higher yields. The Brazil soybean crop is projected at a record 85 million tons as higher harvested area more than offsets lower yields. China soybean production is projected at 12 million tons, down 0.6 million from 2012/13 as producers continue to shift area to more profitable crop

U.S. feed grain production for 2013/14 is projected at 376 million metric tons, up from 286 million in 2012/13. For the four feed grains combined, U.S. planted area is up 1.6 million acres

The latest news from the SEAFARE project, which aims to help to achieve sustainable and environmentally-friendly aquaculture, is now available in the April 2013 issue of SEAFARE Project News

China\'s aquatic production in 2012 was forecast at 58 million tons, up four percent from 2011, due to gains in aquaculture growth as wild catch production remains stagnant. Fishery production challenges include: slowing investment, environmental concerns and coastal development limiting resources for aquaculture expansion

A new report from Research & Markets, “Aquafeed Market Forecast to 2015”, says India is emerging as a significant producer of commercial aquafeeds. The report anticipates the fish feed market to grow at a CAGR of around 20% during 2012-13 to 2014-15. However, the more advanced shrimp feed market is forecast to post a CAGR growth of around 12% during the same time period.

Brazil has all the necessary ingredients to become the next seafood super power, rivalling established producers such as Thailand, Norway and even China, according to a report by Rabobank. However, in spite of its intrinsic natural resources and large availability of grains, the Brazilian seafood industry still has to overcome significant barriers to realize its potential, including heavy bureaucracy to obtain licences to start an aquaculture operation, lack of biosafety standards, low yields and a relatively underdeveloped feed industry. Rabobank\'s view is that despite the challenges, the Brazilian aquaculture sector-led by private and governmental investments-will enlarge its importance in the global aquaculture scenario - Rabobank reports

CTSA has produced a video that highlights the development of sustainable feed in the Pacific and its importance for the success of aquaculture

After several decades of rapid expansion, world demand for aquaculture supplies and equipment - dominated by aquafeed - is expected to moderate, growing 7.4 percent per year to $63.6 billion in 2017 at the farm gate level

Compared with the global average consumption of fish and fish products, consumption of fish-derived products in Azerbaijan is low as a result of both high product prices determined by insufficient domestic production and the immaturity of the distribution network. Some structural transformations in the sector occurred in 2001, and Azerbaijan has signed a number of international conventions ....

USDA raised 2012/13 forecasts for both U.S. exports and imports of soybean meal by 100,000 short tons this month to 8.9 million and 350,000 tons, respectively. USDA trimmed 2012/13 average price forecasts for soybean oil to 48.5-51.5 cents per pound and for soybean meal to $425-$445 per short ton. Based on crop stress in January and February, Argentine soybean production for 2012/13 was forecast 1.5 million metric tons lower this month to 51.5 million. In addition, a reduced 2012/13 crush is forecast to curtail Argentine soybean meal exports by 1 million tons to 27 million. Similarly, lower supplies are expected to reduce Argentine soybean oil exports this month by 200,000 tons to 3.95 million.

Total catfish feed delivered in the United States during February 2013 was 3,379 tons, down 56 percent from February 2012, but up 15 percent from the previous month. Foodsize catfish feed delivered totaled 3,221 tons, down 56 percent from the corresponding month a year ago. Feed delivered for fingerlings and broodfish totaled 158 tons, down 50 percent from the corresponding month a year ago

Competitive prices for Argentine corn indicate increased corn exports, just as Brazilian corn shipments are expected to slow as port capacity shifts to soybeans. This month, the USDA Feed Outlook report shows global coarse grain production, consumption, ending stocks, and trade for 2012/13 forecast down slightly

Total catfish feed delivered in the United States during January 2013 was 2,928 tons, down 50 percent from January 2012, and down 48 percent from the previous month. Foodsize catfish feed delivered totaled 2,804 tons, down 50 percent from the corresponding month a year ago. Feed delivered for fingerlings and broodfish totaled 124 tons, down 30 percent from the corresponding month a year ago

In trade year 2012/13 (October 2012 through September 2013) Brazil is projected to export more corn (24.5 million tons) than the United States (24.0 million). This is a dramatic change from the historical norm for the last century, when the U.S. share of world corn trade reached over 80 percent in 1979/80 and often exceeded two-thirds. In 2012/13, the U.S. share is forecast to fall to 24.6 percent while Brazil is forecast to increase to 25.1 percent

From December to mid-January reduced trade activity and optimism over improved supply prospects helped in easing international prices. However, prices have risen again since mid-January due to concerns over weather in South America (affecting maize and soybeans) and the US (wheat)

Total catfish feed delivered in the United States during December 2012 was 5,633 tons, up 42 percent from December 2011, and down 49 percent from the previous month. Foodsize catfish feed delivered totaled 5,376 tons, up 37 percent from the corresponding month a year ago. Feed delivered for fingerlings and broodfish totaled 257 tons, up 757 percent from the corresponding month a year ago

The Alltech Feed Survey for 2013 shows worldwide production increased to 959 million tons, with significant growth in aquaculture

Albert G.J. Tacon and Marc Metian

Results are presented concerning the responses received from a global survey conducted between December 2006 and October 2007 concerning the use of fish meal and fish oil within compound aquafeeds using a questionnaire sent to over 800 feed manufacturers, farmers, researchers, fishery specialists, and other stakeholders in over 50 countries