Based on its recent research findings, the IPIFF is calling for the integration of insect meal to be a fundamental part of Europe’s aquaculture sector by 2040

A newly released paper published by the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) presents a strong, evidence-based case for the integration of insect meal as a cornerstone of a sustainable, competitive, and resilient European aquaculture sector by 2040. Backed by extensive scientific research, market data, and institutional validation, the paper outlines clear and actionable recommendations for policymakers to accelerate the adoption of this innovative feed solution.

A proven, strategic solution to Europe’s protein challenge and food security

The paper highlights that the European Union currently depends on imports for approximately 70% of its animal feed protein, exposing the sector to geopolitical risks, climate impacts, and price volatility.

The 2025 European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) report on the EU fish market highlights that total self-sufficiency decreased from 44.6% in 2017 to 38.1% in 2023, and aquaculture has not contributed to increased food security for aquatic products.

A recent analysis laid bare the stark reality: feed security is no longer an operational concern – it is a strategic imperative. Key findings included:

• Global fish oil production is at its lowest in a decade, with demand set to exceed supply for the first time.
• The aquaculture industry faces structural constraints, not temporary disruptions – meaning higher costs, greater fraud risks, and intensified competition for limited marine ingredients.
• Innovation is no longer the bottleneck – scientific validation is proven. The real challenge is commercialisation at scale, which requires long-term commitment and investment.
• The future belongs not to the most efficient, but to the most adaptable – those who diversify raw material sources, build regional supply chains, and reduce dependence on any single ingredient.

Our vision is fully aligned with this diagnosis, and we pledge for the appropriate measures to face this stark reality:

• Diversification is the answer: Insect meal is a proven, European-grown alternative, backed by 400+ studies and commercial applications in salmon and trout diets at up to 20% inclusion.
• Commercialisation needs policy support: Without it, promising alternatives stall whenever conventional prices drop.
• Resilience requires de-risking: SMEs cannot absorb the price premium alone.
• Market signals matter: EU-made sustainable feed ingredients in the EU Ecolabel for farmed seafood can create demand without regulatory mandates – a rapid, high-visibility win.

The urgency is real. Peru’s 36% anchovy quota cut and a 28% drop in global fishmeal production all signal that Europe cannot afford to wait.

Insect meal offers an EU-made, domestically produced, circular and reliable alternative that can significantly reduce this dependency while strengthening food system resilience.

Scientific validation: Nutritional, functional, environmental and animal health

With more than a decade of scientific validation and over 400 research studies, insect meal has been proven to deliver high nutritional performance, including excellent digestibility, strong amino acid profiles, and no compromise on fish growth or product quality.

Beyond its nutritional value, insect meal delivers measurable environmental and functional benefits:

• Lower environmental footprint: Life Cycle Assessments confirm reduced land use and competitive carbon emissions compared to traditional protein sources, without mentioning conservation of biodiversity.
• Improved fish health: Studies show enhanced gut microbiota, stronger immune responses, and increased antioxidant capacity.
• Circular economy contribution: Insect production can valorise organic side-streams, reduce waste, and support resource efficiency.

It is also important to mention that the Aquaculture Advisory Council Recommendations¹ stress that feed sustainability is the single largest lever to reduce aquaculture’s environmental impact, further underscoring the strategic importance of alternative feed ingredients such as insect meal.

Strong market momentum

The arguments of this paper are contextualised by recent major market analyses, including the 2025 World Bank Report: Harnessing the Waters- A Trillion Dollar Investment Opportunity in Sustainable Aquaculture which highlighted an exponential growth in alternative feeds like insect meal, and the 2025 Global Aqua Feed Market Outlook which confirmed a clear industry shift toward sustainable, insect-based proteins to meet rising global demand and address raw material price volatility.

The largest worldwide aquafeed producers (Biomar; Skretting) have publicly demonstrated their commitment towards investment in insect meal to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of their production while enhancing their resilience.

Strong institutional validation

This document recalls recommendations from EU institutions such as the European Commission,² the European Parliament, ^3,4  or the European Court of Auditors,⁵ which validates and strengthens the recommendations set forward in this document.

Furthermore, the Aquaculture Advisory Council⁶  further highlights that administrative complexity, slow implementation of strategic plans, and lack of coherence across Member States are hindering the transition towards more sustainable aquaculture systems.

The paper identifies critical barriers preventing large-scale adoption:

• Unfavourable regulatory framework, limiting circular feed inputs and slowing innovation.
• Price disadvantage compared to subsidised conventional proteins.
• Lack of incentives and clear policy direction.
• Insufficient traceability standards across supply chains.

Key policy recommendations

To address these barriers and unlock the sector’s full potential, the paper calls for a comprehensive policy response centred on three priorities:

1. Leverage public procurement and ecolabels to create demand
   We propose the inclusion of “minimum percentages of certified EU-made sustainable feed ingredients-including insects, algae, or other alternatives” as a criterion for the EU Ecolabel for farmed seafood. This would leverage market demand – via retailers and consumers – to drive adoption, without imposing regulatory burdens on producers. Notably, this can be advanced through administrative action alone, offering a rapid, high-visibility ‘quick win’.
2. De-risk the transition for SMEs through EMFAF
   We recognise that insect meal currently carries a price premium. To ensure this transition is just and inclusive, we request the earmark of a portion of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to create a ‘First-Mover Blended Finance Facility’. This would subsidise the initial cost differential for SMEs, allowing them to test inclusion rates of insects, algae and other alternatives, without jeopardising their economic viability, while simultaneously creating jobs in coastal and rural communities.
3. Recognise insect meal under the ‘strategic autonomy’ framework
   With the EU importing 70% of its feed protein – largely from deforested areas in South America and other regions of the world – we ask for the recognition of insect meal as a ‘Strategic European Resource’. This designation would unlock dedicated Horizon Europe funding for research and development into cost-reduction technologies and send a clear signal to investors that the EU is committed to domestic protein production.

Insect meal offers a domestically produced, circular, and reliable alternative that can significantly reduce this dependency while strengthening food system resilience. Ensuring proper measures to facilitate the adoption of insect meal as aquafeed is ensuring that the EU aquaculture contributes for food security.

A critical moment for EU aquaculture

The combined evidence from science, market developments, and institutional recommendations leads to a clear conclusion: sustainable aquafeed innovation – particularly insect meal – is essential to achieving the EU’s environmental, economic, and food security objectives. Ongoing policy work, including the Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2040, offers a timely opportunity for the European Union to act decisively and implement the recommended measures.

About IPIFF

The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) is a non-profit EU umbrella organisation representing the insect production sector. Its mission is to promote the use of insects and insect-derived products as a sustainable source of high-quality nutrition for food and feed and plant nutrition. Together with is affiliated member organisation, the UK Edible Insect Association, it represents over 100 insect companies, research centres, and universities active throughout the entire insect value chain.

References

1. AAC Recommendations Recommendation on the report on the mid-term assessment of the Strategic Guidelines and the Multiannual Strategic Plans (AAC 2026-4)
2. European Commission: Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030
3. Striving for a sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture: the way forward- European Parliament resolution of 4 October 2022 on striving for a sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture: the way forward (2021/2189(INI))
4. European Parliament resolution of 19 October 2023 – European protein strategy
5. European Court of Auditors-Report- special report 25/2023: EU aquaculture policy – stagnating production and unclear results despite increased EU funding
6. AAC Recommendations Recommendation on the report on the mid-term assessment of the Strategic Guidelines and the Multiannual Strategic Plans (AAC 2026-4)

Please note, this article will also appear in the 27th edition of our quarterly publication.