FISHMEAL PRODUCTION FALLS IN 2023

Fishmeal production falls in 2023. IFFO (the marine ingredients organisation) preliminary estimate of the overall cumulative fishmeal production for the countries analysed in its reports is at around 1.738 million mt in 2023, around 23% less than in 2022.

The countries analysed were Peru, Chile, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, UK, Ireland and Faroe Islands, USA, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Mauritius, and Spain.

The primary factor contributing to this decline can be attributed to the 52% year-over-year decrease in Peru, whose fishing activities were heavily affected by the El Niño phenomenon, with the cancellation of the April-June fishing season in the North-centre, and a lower-than-average fishing quota for the last quarter of the year. Interestingly, the European countries analysed in this report were the only ones to show an increase in cumulative fishmeal output in 2023.

Regarding fish oil, the total output in 2023 was down by 21% compared to the previous year. The significant supply drop in Peru (down by 85% year on year) was the main cause of this negative performance, resulting from both fewer landings and lower oil yields.

Chile was the only region that managed to register a year-over-year increase in production, thanks to healthier catches and higher-than-average oil yields in the southern regions.

Bearish conditions in both pig and aquaculture markets cause drop in China’s fishmeal imports

At present, fish processing in China is focused on frozen fish caught in the past months. On the trade side, the year-on-year drop in China’s 2023 fishmeal imports can be attributed to the bearish conditions in both pig and aquaculture markets. The aquaculture sector finds itself in a quandary due to an oversupply of aquatic products and a sluggish demand. According to the China Feed Industry Association, the aquafeed output in 2023 reported a 4.9% year-on-year decrease. Industry insiders don’t expect much change in the first half of 2024.

The pig sector, which is a significant user of marine ingredients in feed, continues to grapple with an oversupply. According to the latest release from the National Bureau of Statistics, pork production in 2023 increased by 4.6% year-on-year – the highest production since 2014. In turn, pig feed output increased by 10.1% year-on-year in 2023. Oversupply and higher feeding costs are squeezing pig farmers’ margins forcing them to drastic cost-cutting measures, including new feed formulations.

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