BioMar, Innovafeed, and Auchan partner to promote insect meal commercialization

BioMar, Innovafeed, and Auchan have signed a strategic partnership for the large-scale integration of insect protein into commercial shrimp feed in Ecuador. This collaboration was announced on the opening day of the latest edition of the Global Shrimp Forum, held from September 2 to 4 in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

According to BioMar, recent research has shown its unique functional benefit in shrimp feeds, making it possible to substitute it with a similarly valued ingredient currently in use and making it essential in the functional ingredient segment of aquaculture feeds.

For its part, Auchan, as one of Europe's leading retailers, will integrate shrimp raised with this next-generation feed into its responsible sourcing strategy and product offering.

In this way, the aim is to reduce dependence on wild-caught fish and conventional resources, while maintaining strict sustainability standards and promoting responsible aquaculture.

Regarding this alliance, VP LATAM Shrimp & Hatchery, BioMar Group, Henrik Aarestrup said: "Working together with Auchan and Innovafeed, we have established a viable commercial model for insect meal. It was important to design a scalable model that leveraged the unique functional benefits of black soldier fly in shrimp diets. Any shrimp farmer purchasing BioMar feeds from Ecuador can leverage this commercial opportunity."

Additionally, CEO & Co-founder of Innovafeed, Clément Ray, and Chief Business Officer, Elizaveta Le Floch, noted: "By combining our technology with BioMar’s aquafeed expertise and Auchan's retail leadership, we’re proving that sustainable shrimp farming can be scaled, economically viable, and consumer-ready."

GSF 2025 brings together over 520 delegates from 312 companies across 47 countries — its most diverse forum yet. Almost half are processors, feed and ingredients suppliers, exporters, and importers, with strong representation also from investors, technology providers, consultants, farmers, distributors, service providers, and genetics companies.