Peru is a key contributor to global fishmean and fish oil production, accounting for 20 percent of the average production. The country’s first fishing season of the year – along the north-central coast – began on April 22. Despite opening a week later than in 2024, around 70 percent of the 3 million-tonne anchovy quota has already been fulfilled.
“IFFO’s 2025 estimates for fishmeal and fish oil are at 5.6 million tonnes of fishmeal and 1.2-1.3 million tonnes of fish oil” Dr Enrico Bachis, IFFO’s market research director, commented in a press release.
According to IFFO’s market intelligence reports, the total fishmeal production in April 2025 rose by approximately 3 percent year on year, driven by all regions except for Northern Europe, which was the only area to report a decline compared to January–April 2024.
Fish oil followed a similar trend: cumulative output for the year to April 2025 increased by 14 percent year on year. Like fishmeal, almost all countries reported a positive trend in cumulative fish oil production compared to January-April 2024, with the exception of European countries.
The data used in the intelligence reports is based on statistics shared by IFFO members in Chile, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Norway, the UK, the USA, Peru, South Africa and Spain. Together, these countries represent 40 percent of global fishmeal production and 50 percent of fish oil output.
China
China’s domestic marine ingredient production declined in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. With fishing bans now in place, most local fishmeal plants now remain idle. For the time being, production will rely on frozen fish, imported sardines and by-products from processing facilities.
The IFFO noted:
‘’Driven by the increase in aquaculture production reported by official sources through April 2025, domestic aquafeed output is likely to grow year on year during the first four months of the year. Anticipated profits from harvests in the third and fourth quarters, particularly for species with high fishmeal dietary requirements, are also contributing to this positive trend.’’
