BioMar, Multi X launch regenerative feed crops pilot across 20,000 hectares in Chile

CHILE – Aquaculture feed producer BioMar and salmon farmer Multi X have launched a 24-month regenerative agriculture pilot in southern Chile to evaluate more sustainable production of feed ingredients, with the potential to scale the model across up to 20,000 hectares of farmland supplying the country’s salmon industry.

The initiative will assess regenerative farming practices in wheat and pea crops, two locally produced raw materials used in salmon feed, with the aim of improving soil health, strengthening climate resilience and reducing the environmental footprint of feed ingredient production.

The project, which began in August 2026, is being implemented in partnership with Chile’s Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA) and Cooperativa Agrícola de Granos, making it the first regenerative agriculture pilot in Chile jointly developed by four public and private organisations.

All 14 members of Cooperativa Agrícola de Granos, located in the Los Ríos and Los Lagos regions, are participating in the pilot. 

If successful, the model could be expanded across the cooperative’s 18,000 to 20,000 hectares of farmland.

“Exploring the benefits of regenerative agriculture offers an alternative approach to addressing soil depletion,” said Michael Adler, Technical Director at BioMar Chile.

“We want to assess these practices and support the transfer of knowledge to local farms, contributing to more responsible salmon production at each stage of the value chain.”

Agriculture plays a critical role in supplying raw materials for aquaculture feed, making resilient crop production increasingly important as climate change and pressure on natural resources affect food systems worldwide.

The partners said regenerative agriculture could complement conventional farming by improving soil health, biodiversity and long-term productivity while supporting more sustainable feed ingredient supply chains.

Project targets more resilient feed ingredient supply chains

Beyond field trials, the initiative will compare agricultural practices across the continent to develop biodiversity and regenerative agriculture indicators that can inform decision-making for both the aquaculture industry and financial institutions.

According to the partners, the project seeks to generate evidence on the environmental and economic benefits of regenerative agriculture while determining whether the approach can be adopted more broadly across Chile’s salmon value chain.

Francisco Lobos, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager at Multi X, said the initiative aligns with the company’s efforts to strengthen circular economy practices and increase the use of locally sourced feed ingredients.

“One of our key commitments is to further develop the circular economy and prioritise local suppliers across the salmon value chain,” Lobos said.

“This project aims to strengthen climate resilience for two raw materials with considerable potential for production in Chile, while assessing opportunities to reduce their environmental impact and improve long-term profitability.”

Mauricio Magnasco, General Manager of Cooperativa Agrícola de Granos, said the pilot could also help Chilean crop producers better understand the sustainability standards required by industries such as salmon farming.

The findings are expected to contribute to future strategies for producing agricultural raw materials more sustainably while strengthening the resilience of aquaculture feed supply chains.

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