De Heus Uganda launches fish feed production at new Njeru facility

UGANDA – De Heus Animal Nutrition Uganda has officially commenced fish feed production at its newly built state-of-the-art plant in Njeru, Jinja, marking a significant boost for the region’s aquaculture industry. 

The facility, the company’s first dedicated aquafeed plant in Africa, will produce up to 50,000 metric tons of fish feed annually, catering to the growing East African market.

The launch follows a journey that began in June 2023 with a groundbreaking ceremony. At the time, De Heus projected that the factory would be operational by the first half of 2025, a target the company has now met. 

In July this year, the first bag of feed rolled off the production line, signalling the transition from testing to full-scale operations.

Strengthening local supply Chains

The Njeru plant is set to create new jobs and stimulate demand for locally sourced ingredients such as maize, cassava, and soy. By producing in Uganda, De Heus aims to shorten supply chains, reduce reliance on imports, and give local farmers more opportunities to supply raw materials.

Speaking at the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 in Kampala in June, Ivo van der Lee, Commercial Manager at De Heus Animal Nutrition, emphasised that local production would be a win for farmers and the wider economy. 

“The construction of the factory in Uganda will allow us to localise the sourcing of some of the raw materials from the country, hence creating opportunities for local farmers to benefit from the factory being located here,” he said.

The company says its mission extends beyond feed production to building an ecosystem that supports farmers, creates employment opportunities, and promotes inclusive economic development.

Global expertise, local focus

Part of the Dutch family-owned Royal De Heus, one of the world’s top ten animal nutrition companies, De Heus Uganda brings decades of aquafeed expertise to the region. 

The firm is leveraging its global formulation department in the Netherlands to ensure international standards are adapted to East African needs, while its new on-site laboratory will provide extensive quality testing.

Best known in Uganda for its Koudijs brand, which has been active since 2018, De Heus will gradually transition its aquafeed products to carry the De Heus name, while Koudijs remains for other livestock categories.

The company’s expertise in tilapia feed, honed in advanced facilities and laboratories in Vietnam, will underpin its operations in Njeru. 

This knowledge transfer, combined with a dedicated local team, is intended to ensure farmers receive premium feed that supports sustainable aquaculture growth.

Commitment to sustainable growth

The investment aligns with De Heus’s broader growth strategy in Africa, where it already operates in Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. 

By situating its first aquafeed plant in Uganda, the company is positioning itself at the heart of a nascent but fast-expanding aquaculture sector in East Africa.

“It’s a new home but with the same quality feed you know and trust,” the company said in its launch announcement on LinkedIn. “We’re now closer to your farms than ever before.”

With production now underway, De Heus Uganda’s Njeru plant is expected to become a cornerstone of East Africa’s fish farming industry, driving local sourcing, enhancing feed quality, and supporting the region’s economic and food security goals.

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