Aquaculture is the fastest-growing animal protein sector in the world, and one ingredient driving its success has risen to the top: soy. As the most utilized protein ingredient in aquafeed, soy plays a pivotal role in providing optimal nutrition to farmed seafood while driving sustainability in global aquaculture. We’re exploring why soy is an essential building block infarmed seafood’s success, how it answers the call for environmentally sustainable industry growth, and how U.S. Soy is uniquely positioned to support the aquaculture industry.
The success of the aquaculture industry is dependent on feeds that can support optimal growth and health for farmed seafood. Soy is perfectly suited for the job for a few key reasons:
- Nutritional Powerhouse: Soy is rich in protein, making it a vital source of essential amino acids needed for healthy growth in aquaculture species.
- Plant-Based Alternative: As a sustainable replacement for fishmeal, soy reduces the industry’s reliance on wild-caught fish stocks, alleviating pressure on marine ecosystems.
- Versatile and Scalable: Soy’s well-established global supply chains allow it to be easily sourced for inclusion in a variety of feed formulations, making it a reliable and cost-effective choice for aquafeed producers worldwide.
Soy doesn’t just feed aquacultured animals - it supports the sustainability and scalability of the aquaculture sector as a whole.
The movement away from a reliance on marine-derived ingredients has been a priority for the aquaculture industry for decades. Plant proteins are already the most effectively utilized ingredients in aquafeed production globally, and over the past two decades, soy has become a key ingredient in replacing marine-sourced ingredients. Soy is highly digestible for most aquatic species and its versatility supports efficient feed production processes.
With soy leading the charge, the aquaculture industry benefits by achieving rapid expansion while concurrently meeting its sustainability goals.
As the aquaculture sector expands, the need for sustainably produced feed ingredients has never been greater.
Soy stands at the forefront of this effort, offering a solution that supports healthy growth of both the product and the sector, without compromising the vitality of our oceans or the planet. By using soy in aquafeeds, the aquaculture industry is able to reduce its carbon footprint compared to traditional animal-based feeds, support global food security by producing high-quality protein with a lower environmental impact, and ensure a sustainable future for aquaculture by scaling production responsibly.
But not all soy is created equal, and U.S. Soy stands out as a global leader in sustainability, quality, and consistency.
- Verified Sustainability: U.S. Soy farmers adhere to some of the most stringent environmental and agricultural standards in the world. Through the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP), they ensure soy is grown with minimal impact on the environment.
- Sustainable Production Practices: U.S. soybeans dry down naturally in the field prior to harvest avoiding energy intensive industrial drying methods employed in other geographies. Innovations in U.S. soybean farming, such as variable rate fertilizer application and cover-cropping, result in resource-use efficiencies along the soy supply chain.
- Low Carbon Footprint: Compared to soy of other origins U.S. Soy has a lower carbon footprint, primarily due to its lack of land use change risk. This makes it an ideal choice for aquaculture operations striving to minimize their environmental impact.
The Advantages of Soy in Aquafeed
Using quality protein sources in aquafeed is critical for performance and cost efficiency. Soybean meal offers consistent protein and amino acid content, minimizing the need for safety margins in feed formulations. This consistency reduces feed production costs, savings that ultimately benefit the end user.
Additionally, soybean meal is easy to store in bulk, simplifies feed mill operations, and reduces logistical complexity. These combined advantages make soy a cost-effective and efficient choice for aquaculture species, from finfish to crustaceans.
U.S. Soy has become a vital ingredient in aquaculture feeds around the world. From Southeast Asia to Latin America and beyond, U.S. soy supports the growth of aquaculture industries in key markets, helping to meet the global seafood demands of our growing population.
Take, for example, long standing partnerships between the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and aquaculture industry leaders in countries producing large volumes of farmed seafood like Vietnam and Ecuador. These collaborations are driving innovation in feed formulations, ensuring fish and shrimp grow efficiently while reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture.
USSEC has developed the International Aquaculture Feed Formulation Database (IAFFD) which characterizes thousands of aquafeed ingredients and hosts global workshops which educate feed formulators and nutritionists on developing optimal rations for shrimp and fish. USSEC routinely organizes seminars and conferences to foster industry development and share best practices, strengthening food security through sustainable aquaculture.
These partnerships and educational efforts demonstrate how U.S. soy powers innovation and progress in aquafeed formulations, leading the sector in ensuring efficient growth while reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
While soy offers incredible benefits, misconceptions about soy production and concerns about land use change persist. That’s where organizations like USSEC step in. By promoting sustainable practices and dedicating resources to driving innovation, USSEC ensures that U.S. soy remains a leader in sustainable aquafeeds.
Ongoing advancements, such as the development of soy-based feed ingredients like soy protein concentrate allow for the integration of soy into the diets of carnivorous aquaculture species such as mediterranean sea bass, and present exciting opportunities for the industry.
Soy is the cornerstone of sustainable aquaculture feeds, and U.S. Soy leads the pack in providing high-quality, environmentally conscious solutions to meet the demands of a growing industry. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the partnership between U.S. Soy and global aquaculture will continue to drive progress, innovation, and sustainability.
By choosing U.S. Soy, aquafeed producers and aquaculture operations worldwide can reduce their carbon footprint, support food security, and fuel the future of sustainable seafood production.
Ready to learn more about U.S. Soy and its role in sustainable aquaculture? Connect with the United States Soy Export Council (USSEC) and discover how U.S. Soy is fueling the future of seafood.
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This article is funded in part by the soy checkoff.
