Global fishmeal production rose by approximately 29% year over year in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from the IFFO’s market intelligence report. The increase was mainly driven by Peru, with Chile, Spain, USA, and several African nations also reporting gains compared to the same period in 2024.
Fish oil production also increased, with cumulative output up 34% through March 2025. Peru again led the growth, while most other reporting regions showed positive trends except for European countries.
The data is based on statistics from IFFO members across 13 countries, representing 40% of global fishmeal and 50% of global fish oil production.
In China, domestic demand for marine ingredients is expected to strengthen through 2025. Fishing bans implemented on 1 May mean that production will rely on frozen fish and imports until the fishing season resumes in late summer. Prices for species with high fishmeal requirements have risen, signalling robust aquaculture activity.
Piglet demand in China is also increasing, which could drive up feed production and fishmeal use in the second half of the year. At the same time, higher prices for plant-based feed inputs—such as soybean meal, corn, and rapeseed meal—are leading feed producers to consider alternative formulations.
