The innovative alliance aims to decarbonize the supply chain of plant-based ingredients for aquaculture feed, fostering regenerative agricultural practices and rewarding farmers
BioMar, a global leader in aquaculture feed production, and Cefetra, a leading company in the agricultural supply chain, have forged a new and important partnership. The central objective is to drastically reduce emissions associated with key vegetable-based ingredients used in aquaculture diets, addressing the carbon footprint "from crop to coast."
As the world's population continues to grow, the need for efficient and responsible food production becomes imperative. In 2022, for the first time in history, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries, contributing 51 percent of the total global output of aquatic animals. Despite aquaculture already boasting one of the lowest feed conversion ratios in animal farming, more than 80 percent of fish emissions are linked to feed and raw material sourcing. Reducing these emissions and improving supply chain resilience has therefore become a shared and crucial challenge for the sector.
An Integrated Strategy: From Agriculture to Aquaculture
Combining expertise from agriculture and aquaculture, BioMar and Cefetra are addressing this challenge directly and proactively. The collaboration focuses on cutting emissions at the source, supporting farmers in the transition to regenerative practices, and strengthening the link between crop production and fish farming.
The initiative, starting in the UK, primarily aims to reduce the carbon footprint of essential vegetable-based feed ingredients for fish, such as wheat. Through Cefetra Ecosystem Services, launched in 2023 in partnership with Soil Capital, UK farmers are supported in adopting practices that improve soil health and generate verified carbon removals. A key element is that farmers are financially rewarded for these improvements, which reduces the risks associated with the transition while enabling companies like BioMar to meet their science-based climate targets through measurable, on-the-ground results.
James Neilson, Supply Chain Director at Cefetra Ecosystem Services, highlighted: "Cefetra's unique position allows us to aggregate demand from hundreds of buyers across various industries. This enables us to create long-term solutions that place soil health and carbon removals at the core. With our deep knowledge of the supply chain, we can ensure that improvements on the farm translate into real climate benefits for downstream sectors like aquaculture."
Ivana Russo, Formulations Manager and Sustainability Lead at BioMar UK, added: "At BioMar, we believe that responsible growth in aquaculture starts at the source. By partnering with Cefetra Ecosystem Services, we are reducing emissions where it matters most, while supporting farmers and building more resilient food systems. This collaboration is an important step towards meeting our science-based climate targets and delivering low-carbon feed solutions to our customers."
A Model of Cross-Sector Collaboration
The collaborative work of BioMar and Cefetra Ecosystem Services was recently highlighted in the Executive TV episode titled "Circular Horizons: Farming, Construction, and the Race to Redefine Waste," a program that showcased the fundamental role of cross-sector partnerships in achieving practical and significant environmental improvements.
This collaboration not only underscores both companies' commitment to sustainability but also illustrates how agriculture and aquaculture can work together to deliver measurable environmental benefits and more robust supply chains, from soil to seafood. Such alliances are increasingly relevant in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), demonstrating a holistic approach to decarbonizing the global food system.
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