European retailer Auchan has partnered with Biomar and Innovafeed to create programs that advance the commercialization of insect meal in aquaculture feed in Ecuador.
According to the agreement Innovafeed, is a global AgTech company that specializes in producing Black Soldier Flies for animal and plant nutrition, will work with Biomar, an aquaculture feed company, to produce feed for Ecuadorian shrimp farmers. Auchan will integrate shrimp raised on this feed into its responsible sourcing strategy and product offering.
Henrik Aarestrup, VP LATAM, Shrimp & Hatchery at BioMar Group noted that “any shrimp farmer purchasing BioMar feeds from Ecuador can leverage this commercial opportunity.”
Historically feed for aquaculture operations has been derived from fish meal and fish oil of wild caught fish. But because so many areas are overfished, aquaculture operations needed a sustainable alternative. Research shows Black Soldier Fly larva are high in both protein and fat, contains more zinc and iron than meat and more calcium than milk. Biomar’s website shows that it uses insect protein in 21 fish feed products.
The partners said this marks a significant leap toward scaling insect-based solutions as a cornerstone of tomorrow’s food system. It reflects their shared ambition 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.
“We are committed to responsible sourcing and see this partnership as a tangible step toward better food for our customers and the planet,” said Laurent Francony, Group CSR Executive Director at Auchan Retail. “Supporting more sustainable aquaculture practices through our shrimp supply chains is perfectly aligned with our long-term vision.”
