Nutreco Vietnam becomes first in nation to receive ASC certification for both shrimp and fish

VIETNAM – Nutreco Vietnam has become the first company in the country’s aquaculture industry to receive Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for both shrimp and fish products. 

The dual recognition was officially presented on July 21, 2025, during a ceremony at Nutreco’s Ho Chi Minh City office, attended by representatives from Bureau Veritas Vietnam and the company’s management team.

The ASC certification is one of the most respected global standards for responsibly farmed seafood. It validates Nutreco Vietnam’s commitment to delivering sustainable, transparent, and high-quality nutrition solutions to the aquaculture industry.

Nutreco Vietnam called the achievement “a remarkable milestone” in its pursuit of responsible aquaculture and acknowledged the collective effort of its staff. 

In a statement, the company said, “We see this not only as a recognition of our team’s continuous efforts but also as a strong motivation to keep driving innovation in responsible aquaculture. We remain committed to supporting a resilient and globally integrated Vietnamese aquaculture sector.”

With Vietnam’s aquaculture industry playing a major role in global seafood exports, the certification positions Nutreco as a leader in sustainable feed production and supports the broader push for environmental and social responsibility in the sector.

Strategic ambitions on the global stage

The achievement comes as Nutreco also eyes global expansion. The Dutch-based parent company is currently exploring a potential acquisition of the animal nutrition division of DSM-Firmenich, a move that could significantly enhance its role in the animal feed value chain.

DSM-Firmenich confirmed in early 2024 that it intends to carve out the ANH division by the end of 2025. 

The unit, which includes essential feed ingredients such as vitamins, enzymes, carotenoids, and lipids, has long been a cornerstone of livestock nutrition. 

However, growing competition from low-cost producers, especially in China, has made the business increasingly unpredictable.

“The separation of our ANH business will allow us to reduce our exposure to the volatile vitamins market,” the company noted, adding that the move would “enable the ANH division to maximise its potential under a new ownership structure.”

According to a report by Financieele Dagblad, Nutreco is one of three interested parties, alongside private equity firms CVC Capital Partners and Apollo Global Management. While Nutreco sees possible synergies in aligning purchasing, production, and sales, the bid also comes with hurdles. 

The three bidders have until July 31 to submit binding offers, with DSM-Firmenich expected to make a decision shortly after. The outcome could reshape the competitive landscape of the animal nutrition industry and further solidify Nutreco’s global standing.

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