MainStream Aquaculture has expanded operations to include domestic production of barramundi with the purchase of a 1,100 acre (445 ha) fish farm in Arizona, US.
The company believes its rapidly growing aquaculture business in Australia provides a template for a successful US business model that can be scaled to meet domestic market demand. The Arizona farm is MainStream’s first international acquisition.
“Barramundi is a delicious, nutritious and sustainable fish ideal for aquaculture,” said Boris Musa, MainStream Aquaculture Group managing director and chief executive. “We are immensely proud to expand our operations in the USA after several years market testing the product and operating a pilot scale Barramundi farm in Arizona.”
“By applying the capabilities we have developed over 20 years in Australia, we are confident the venture will establish Barramundi as a premium, sustainable, ethically produced and widely appealing white fish in the USA,” he added.
Operations at Mainstream currently comprise three hatcheries supplying 27 countries across five continents. The company has two urban farms in Melbourne, Australia and three Queensland-based saltwater pond farming sites.
The US business will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of the MainStream Aquaculture Group.
