The Brazilian Aquaculture Advantage: Feed Innovation Drives Record Growth and Global Sustainability

Editor/Mohamed Shihab

Brazil Becomes 4th Largest Tilapia Producer Globally by Prioritizing Plant-Based Feed and Processing Technology. The Brazilian fish farming sector is solidifying its position as a global leader, not just through massive production volumes, but through a dedicated focus on innovation in fish feed that is boosting both competitiveness and environmental sustainability. This strategic investment in nutrition has underpinned the sector's record-breaking performance, which saw total farmed fish production reach 968,745 tons in 2024, a 9.21% increase over the previous year, according to the Brazilian Fish Farming Association (Peixe BR).

The driving force behind this growth is tilapia, which accounts for 68.36% of the total, with production surging to 662,230 tons in 2024. Brazil is now the fourth largest tilapia producer in the world and the second largest supplier of fresh tilapia fillets to the United States market.

The Science of Sustainable Feed

At the heart of this success is a commitment to highly digestible and environmentally responsible feed. João Manoel Cordeiro Alves, treasurer of Peixe BR and an aquaculture consultant, stresses that feed quality is crucial for fish health and water balance.

"Just like us, fish don't utilize 100% of the food they ingest. Some nutrients are always excreted... These residues, when present in excess, can compromise water quality," explains Alves. He notes that proper formulation is essential to minimize waste. "When feed contains highly digestible ingredients, the fish can better absorb nutrients, resulting in less excretion and, consequently, a lower waste load in the water."

Key innovations that enhance feed efficiency include:

Extrusion Technology: The use of extruded feeds—compact, cooked granules similar to dog food—significantly increases digestibility compared to raw or mashed feeds. This processing facilitates the fish's digestive system, allowing for better nutrient utilization.

Targeted Nutrition: Adapting feed to each developmental stage—from young to market-ready fish—ensures they receive the exact nutritional requirements, leading to greater productivity and better fish health.

The Brazilian Differential: Plant-Based and High-Tech

Francisco Medeiros, president of Peixe BR, highlights that Brazil has unique advantages in feed production, stemming from its vast raw material base and advanced industrial capacity.

"Our feeds have a strong plant-based basis, which in itself increases the sustainability index," says Medeiros. This is a critical global trend, with the plant-based fish feed market in Brazil projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.62% through 2035, as the industry reduces its reliance on marine-sourced fishmeal and oils.

Furthermore, Medeiros points out that Brazil's expertise is leveraged from other successful animal protein chains, such as pork, poultry, and beef. The country now boasts one of the best industrial parks in the world for animal feed production.

The Three Pillars of True Sustainability

Alves emphasizes that sustainability in aquaculture extends beyond environmental impact, resting on three fundamental pillars: social, economic, and environmental. A business is only truly sustainable when these factors are balanced.

"I can't get rich at the expense of exploiting the environment or the people who work with me," Alves states. Sustainable aquaculture must deliver clear results, including:

Healthy Fish with low mortality.

Good Feed Conversion (less feed to produce a kilogram of fish).

Quality Water with no signs of degradation.

Fair Pay for both producers and workers.

By combining technological advancement in nutrition with a holistic view of sustainability, the Brazilian aquaculture sector, led by the growth in Paraná state (the largest producing state with 250,315 tons in 2024), is setting a new standard for

responsible food production worldwide.

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