Cefetra and BioMar have announced a partnership aimed at reducing emissions associated with vegetable-based ingredients used in aquaculture feed. The collaboration will focus on cutting emissions at the source, supporting farmers as they adopt regenerative agricultural practices, and strengthening the connection between crop production and fish farming.
Aquaculture has recently become a larger contributor to global aquatic animal output than capture fisheries, now accounting for 51 percent of total production. Despite having one of the lowest feed conversion ratios among animal farming sectors, more than 80 percent of emissions from fish production are linked to feed and raw material sourcing. Addressing these emissions is seen as a significant challenge for the industry.
The initiative will begin in the United Kingdom and targets key ingredients such as wheat that are essential components of fish diets. Cefetra Ecosystem Services, which was launched in 2023 in partnership with Soil Capital, provides UK farmers with support to improve soil health and achieve verified carbon removals. This program offers financial incentives to farmers for adopting new practices, helping them manage risks during the transition while enabling companies like BioMar to pursue climate goals through tangible results.
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 removals 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.”
Ivana Russo, Formulations Manager and Sustainability Lead at BioMar UK, added: “At BioMar, we believe that responsible growth in aquaculture starts at the source. 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 work being done by BioMar and Cefetra Ecosystem Services was featured in an episode of Executive TV titled “Circular Horizons: Farming, Construction, and the Race to Redefine Waste,” which highlights how cross-sector partnerships can deliver practical environmental improvements.
By working together on this initiative starting in the UK market, both companies aim to demonstrate how agriculture and aquaculture can collaborate effectively to produce measurable environmental benefits along their supply chains.