Aquaculture faces ingredients shortage as Peruvian anchovy fishing ban extends

PERU – Ongoing coastal El Niño conditions have led Peruvian authorities to extend the national ban on anchovy harvesting across a key fishing zone, a move expected to tighten global fishmeal and fish oil supplies used in aquafeed and livestock feed production.

The restriction now covers waters from the northern limit of Peru’s maritime domain to 16°00′S, with no new end date announced. 

The suspension, previously set to end on June 10, remains in place as authorities continue scientific assessments of the stock’s condition.

The decision comes as warmer ocean temperatures and a high proportion of juvenile anchovies continue to affect fishing activity, raising concerns about stock distribution and recovery.

Supply pressure on key feed ingredients

Anchovies from Peru are among the most important raw materials used to produce fishmeal and fish oil, key ingredients in aquafeed formulations for species such as salmon, shrimp, and other farmed fish, as well as in livestock feed applications.

Industry body IFFO said Peru plays a central role in global supply and that any disruption in the fishery quickly affects availability in international markets.

“Peru accounts for a large share of global fishmeal and fish oil supply, implying that disruptions quickly tighten availability,” said IFFO Market Director Enrico Bachis.

The Vice-Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture stated that the ban could be lifted fully, partially, or gradually, depending on updated scientific evaluations by Peru’s Institute of the Sea (IMARPE), as well as environmental and biological conditions.

Repeated suspensions in recent months reflect ongoing concerns about warm waters and a high abundance of juvenile fish, indicating that anchovy biomass remains but is widely dispersed.

Global fishmeal and fish oil output declines

According to IFFO member data covering major producing regions, including Peru, Chile, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Spain, and the United States, global fishmeal and fish oil production declined in April 2026 compared with the same period last year.

Fishmeal output fell by 21% year on year in April, with cumulative production down 26% compared to 2025 levels. 

Fish oil production also declined, falling 19% year on year, while cumulative output dropped 14%.

While some regions, such as the United States and Spain, showed relative resilience or growth, declines in Peru and parts of the North Atlantic and Africa drove the overall downturn.

For the feed industry, the continued uncertainty in Peru’s anchovy fishery is significant, as fishmeal and fish oil remain critical inputs in high-performance aquafeed formulations and are difficult to replace at scale in the short term.

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