Based on IFFO’s analyses of the difficult first half of the year, domestic production of marine ingredients seems to be struggling also in the second half of 2022. Supply remained subdued through October as raw material from wild captures was reported below expectations. The La Niña phenomenon affecting the distribution of the local biomass and the stricter environmental measures imposed by the Chinese authorities to protect the domestic fishery resources are often cited as the main causes for the disappointing performance. Nonetheless, cumulative imports of foreign fishmeal are slightly below last year’s levels, following the late start of the aquaculture main season back in May.

Aquafeed production in September is expected to have decreased month on month, as consumption was severely affected by new Covid-19 lockdowns.