USSEC organized the 1st Aquaculture Feed Extrusion program from February 10 - 14 in Turkey for Moroccan attendees. The president of the young established Moroccan Aquaculture Association (AMA), which groups 30 operations, participated along with members of the National Agency Development of Aquaculture (ANDA) and feed mill managers. The program aimed to showcase Turkish fish feed extrusion production and fish operations, including the largest extruded fish feed and fish processing plants, along with export operations to five professionals.
Although Morocco ranks first in fish captures in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region, an aquaculture sector is emerging in both marine and freshwater fish productions claiming an overall potential of 380,000 tons of aqua products with 62% in fish farming. The poultry sector continues to be the primary driver of Morocco’s soybean meal market; however, attractive opportunities exist as fish feed production is seen as a means of diversification to expand U.S. Soy’s market share in Morocco, which imports U.S. soybeans, soy hulls, soybean oil, and meal.
The first of its kind aquaculture feed extrusion program follows different activities held within the market and regional aqua production conferences aiming to assist producers. The technical visits to fish feed companies offered an opportunity to see different plants, facilities, and operational management onsite to further improve knowledge about fish feed extrusion, process parameters, product characteristics, storage, handling, and quality control. Fish feed producers, quality control, and plant managers addressed all issues raised by visitors, and offered new networking opportunities. The USSEC consultants who escorted the team emphasized the high value and quality of U.S. soybean products, and the need of an adequate nutrient profile in fish feed formulation.
The professional team was able to better understand extrusion technology and optimization of its parameters to produce quality fish feed based on high quality vegetable proteins sources such as U.S. hipro soybean meal and soy protein concentrates. They were able to grasp the importance of sustainable soy products in supplying available nutrients to different growth phases for various species, particularly for markets targeting fish exports and developing a chain value on solid grounds.
USSEC continues to further improve technical knowledge about fish feed extrusion and operational management, assist developments of customer activities, and expand the market. The trust and confidence in the USSEC organization helps sustain demand for U.S. soybeans.