The global marine ingredients sector delivered a mixed performance in 2025, with overall gains in fishmeal and fish oil production offset by regional declines and ongoing challenges in key markets, as reported by IFFO, the Marine Ingredients Organisation.
According to IFFO’s data, the total cumulative annual fishmeal production rose by approximately two percent by November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, this positive trend was not universal. African countries, along with Iceland and the wider North Atlantic area, recorded year-on-year declines in fishmeal production during the period.
Fish oil production followed a stronger upward trajectory. Cumulative output through November 2025 increased by around seven percent compared with January–November 2024. Most producing countries reported improved performance year-on-year. Peru stood out as an exception, with reduced oil yields in 2025 a key factor in lower overall production.
The figures are based on statistics provided by IFFO members in Chile, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, the Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Norway, the UK, the USA, Peru, South Africa and Spain. Together, these countries account for approximately 40 percent of global fishmeal production and around 50 percent of total fish oil output.
“This is positive news; while data still needs to be confirmed for the full year, we expect 2025 to have delivered slightly lower production of both fishmeal and fish oil compared with 2024”, commented Dr Enrico Bachis, Market Research Director at IFFO.
China’s production decline drives import growth
In contrast to the modest global gains, China’s domestic production of marine ingredients fell significantly in 2025 compared with 2024. Higher production costs and reduced profitability continue to constrain output from local producers. With the peak fishing season already concluded, there is limited scope for recovery through the remainder of the season, which runs until April 2026. As a result, China’s fishmeal and fish oil production in 2025 is projected to decline by between 20 percent and 30 percent compared with the previous year.
