BioMar, Cefetra partner to cut emissions in aquaculture feed

UK – BioMar, a leading global producer of aquafeed, and Cefetra, a leader in agricultural supply chains, have announced a new partnership designed to tackle emissions from key vegetable-based aquaculture feed ingredients, beginning with wheat in the UK. 

The collaboration aims to cut emissions at the source, support farmers in adopting regenerative practices, and build more resilient supply chains linking agriculture and fish farming.

The initiative comes at a pivotal time for the aquaculture industry. In 2022, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries for the first time, accounting for 51% of the total global output of aquatic animals. 

Despite its efficiency, boasting one of the lowest feed conversion ratios in animal farming, over 80% of fish-related emissions are tied to feed and raw material sourcing. Reducing these impacts has become a pressing challenge for the sector.

Climate-friendly feed sourcing

Cefetra and BioMar are combining expertise to address this challenge. 

The partnership will leverage Cefetra Ecosystem Services, launched in 2023 in partnership with Soil Capital, to help UK farmers adopt regenerative practices that improve soil health and deliver verified carbon removals. 

Farmers are financially rewarded for these efforts, reducing transition risks while ensuring measurable results for companies like BioMar.

James Neilson, Supply Chain Director at Cefetra Ecosystem Services, said, “Cefetra’s unique position allows us to aggregate demand from hundreds of buyers across industries. This enables us to create long-term solutions that put soil health and carbon removal at the core. With our deep knowledge of the supply chain, we can ensure improvements on the farm translate into real climate benefits for downstream sectors like aquaculture.”

Strengthening aquaculture’s sustainability goals

For BioMar, the collaboration marks a step forward in aligning its feed solutions with science-based climate targets. 

“At BioMar, we believe that responsible growth in aquaculture starts at the source,” said Ivana Russo, Formulations Manager and Sustainability Lead at BioMar UK. 

“By partnering with Cefetra Ecosystem Services, we are reducing emissions where it matters most, while supporting farmers and building more resilient food systems. This collaboration is an important step towards meeting our science-based climate targets and delivering low-carbon feed solutions to our customers.”

The partnership was recently showcased in the Executive TV episode Circular Horizons: Farming, Construction, and the Race to Redefine Waste, which highlighted the role of cross-sector collaboration in driving measurable environmental improvements.

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