BioMar, Innovafeed, and Auchan have joined in a new commitment to integrate insect protein into commercial shrimp feed in Ecuador on a large-scale, with the companies stating that the move marks a turning point for both the insect and aquaculture industries – demonstrating that insect protein is a viable part of the solution in responsible and resilient shrimp farming.
According to the partners, insect meal is much more than a protein source, it contains functional nutrients like antimicrobial peptides. Recent research from BioMar showed a unique functional benefit in shrimp feeds, making it possible to substitute it with a similarly valued ingredient currently in use.
This discovery offers insect meal a viable market entry position in shrimp feeds at its current market value, they said. From there, they maintain it’s possible to scale insect meal and hopefully be market competitive in the protein ingredient segment in the future, but for now, it can play a vital role in the functional ingredient segment in aquafeeds.
As part of this industry-first initiative, European retailer Auchan will support the rollout by integrating shrimp raised on this next-generation feed into its responsible sourcing strategy and product offering.
The partners said their tripartite commitment marks “a significant leap” towards scaling insect-based solutions as a cornerstone of tomorrow’s food system, explaining that it reflects the shared ambition of key players in aquaculture, agritechnology, and retail to accelerate the shift toward a circular, resilient, and low-impact protein model, reducing dependence on wild-caught fish and conventional agricultural resources, while upholding rigorous sustainability standards and promoting responsible shrimp farming.
Innovafeed CEO and Co-founder Clément Ray, and Chief Business Officer Elizaveta Le Floch, stated: “This partnership is a defining moment not just for Innovafeed, but for the entire insect and aquaculture industries. 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.”
Henrik Aarestrup, VP LATAM, Shrimp & Hatchery at BioMar Group, added: “In BioMar we believe in the sustainable future of the aquaculture industry and alternative ingredients like insect meal play a vital role in this. 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.”
Laurent Francony, Group CSR Executive Director at Auchan Retail, commented: “We are committed to responsible sourcing and see this partnership as a tangible step toward better food for our customers and the planet. Supporting more sustainable aquaculture practices through our shrimp supply chains is perfectly aligned with our long-term vision.”
