Major salmon producers are transitioning from traditional fishmeal to poultry-based feed to offset soaring costs. This shift,led by industry giants like Mowi and Leroy Seafood Group, means salmon raised on chicken byproducts could soon be available in British supermarkets.
The 100% price hike in traditional fishmeal
The aquaculture industry is facing a massive economic shift as the cost of traditional fishmeal has doubled over the last two years. According to the report, while fishmeal prices have spiraled, poultry-based feed remains significantly more affordable, costing roughly half as much per tonne. This economic pressure is compounded by environmental and geopolitical factors that have disrupted global supply chains .
Professor Margareth Øverland of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences noted that global conflicts, climate change, and a "super El Niño" have severely limited the availability of traditional fishmeal and fish oil. as these resources become scarcer, the industry is increasingly looking toward alternative protein sources to maintain production levels and stabilize margins.
Leroy Seafood Group and Mowi's shift to poultry organs
Major industry players are already implementing these changes across their global operations. Leroy Seafood Group, a prominent Norwegian producer and supplier to Tesco, has begun using feed made from poultry bones and organs at all its offshore farms. Similarly, Mowi, the world's largest salmon producer and a supplier to Sainsbury's and Asda,is planning to introduce poultry feed at its facilities in both Norway and Scotland.
SalMar, the world's second-largest producer, has been testing chicken-based feed at select farms since March. These poultry pellets typically contain parts of birds unfit for human consumption, such as livers and brains, though inedible parts like feathers are generally excluded. While some may find the concept unsettling, Professor Øverland stated that these products are high-quality proteins that are safe for salmon consumption.
The transparency gap in UK supermarket labeling
A significant concern remains regarding how much information is actually shared with the end consumer. While the safety of poultry-fed salmon is well-established—with experts noting that chicken does not carry the bovine prions responsible for diseases like Mad Cow Disease—there is currently no legal requirement for manufacturers to list feed ingredients on product labels. This creates a situation where shoppers may not know if their salmon was raised on fish or chicken.
The report notes that while salmon farmers in Chile and Canada have used these methods for years, the European market is only now seeing a widespread transition. This lack of mandatory disclosure means that the "salmon" label may mask a variety of different dietary histories, leaving consumers to rely entirely on the voluntary policies of individual retailers.
Nofima's findings on consumer skepticism and supermarket rules
Supermarket responses to this shift are currently inconsistent and leave several questions unanswered. Marks & Spencer has stated it does not use land anmial protein (LAP) in its salmon feed,while Waitrose and Sainsbury's have confirmed their own-label salmon is not poultry-fed. However, it remains unclear if these retailers allow third-party brands to sell poultry-fed salmon on their shelves, or if Tesco and Asda have any specific restrictions in place.
Research from the food institute Nofima suggests this lack of clarity could lead to consumer backlash. Nofima researcher Florent Govaerts highlighted that chicken is often viewed by consumers as "unnatural and disgusting," suggesting that widespread adoption could face significant social resistance if the industry does not address the perception of poultry-fed fish.. Conversely, advocates argue that using chicken byproducts is far more sustainable than catching vast quantities of edible fish to create traditional fishmeal.
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