VDS Premix explores the international aquaculture industry
The aquaculture sector is growing rapidly. According to the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the global aquaculture production was over 114 million tonnes in 2020. In addition, our agricultural sector is confronted by climate change and a rapidly growing population. The aquaculture sector can offer an answer to these challenges with its fish, seafood, crustaceans, and shellfish. We spoke with our colleagues Brett Laudato (R&D researcher aquaculture) and Chris Dinneweth (aquaculture) about how VDS Premix is working hard on the internationalisation of the current aquaculture story for the shrimp sector.
The growing pains of the aquaculture industry
Various organisations and policy-makers acknowledge the aquaculture industry as a sustainable and high-quality protein source for human consumption. According to Brett, the industry is confronted with various challenges: “Environmental destruction, disease control, and feed formulation are important to give the aquaculture industry in various countries a boost. Knowledge is limited, especially in developing countries where the technical and financial opportunities do not reach the farm. This is why VDX Premix wants to establish a bridge between the world of academics and the industry, because Brett is convinced that this bridge is necessary to handle the challenges involved in efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of the aquaculture sector.
Aquaculture at VDS Premix
VDS Premix currently focuses 10% of its efforts on the aquaculture sector. “Agriculture in Europe is facing increasing difficulties, shrinking the market. It is certainly no longer easy to continue to grow in this field”, tells Chris. VDS Premix has had extensive knowledge of aquaculture for years, specifically in the shrimp industry. VDS assists customers and distributors to give their own shrimp cultivation and that of their customers a boost. This sector grows globally by 5% each year, but there is a lot of competition. “We mainly focus on shrimp feed because there is a great untapped potential there. Our ambition is to significantly expand our products offered to the aquaculture sector”, Chris continues. Chris is mainly looking for interesting regions in which the company can join the market and will focus on the main shrimp-producing countries in Asia, South America, and the Middle East.
How research and studies give the international aquaculture sector a boost
VDS Premix uses its knowledge and expertise in aquaculture to support these countries around the globe. R&D researcher Brett determines a number of study goals based on the needs of the sector for which he conducts trials and studies with academic researchers and industrial partners. “My role is trying out various feed additives and premixes that have a positive effect on the health, growth, and general performances”, Brett tells.
Currently, he is researching how VDS Premix can reduce the negative environmental impact of shrimp production using smart mechanisms to ensure that the animals are better able to deal with stress arising from these extreme environmental factors. The primary goal of this research according to Brett? “Contributing to a more sustainable and efficient aquaculture practice to continue to feed the growing world population”.
How does VDS Premix optimise your aquaculture story?
Half of the success of good shrimp feed is the grain property, according to Chris. “The texture, the content, the machinery ... All these things have an effect on the acceptance by the shrimp”, he tells. This is why Brett keeps an eye on the composition and digestibility of the nutrients in the premixes: “The flavour of the grain affects the absorption of the feed. We are always looking for opportunities to increase the resistance to illnesses and overall health of the shrimps using feed”.
Your success is our success
With extensive knowledge of ingredients and formulas, VDS Premix accrued in-depth expertise in aquaculture over the years. “We are looking for companies and partners for long-term partnerships that seamlessly match our own company culture”, Chris continues. “We consider it important to be close to our customers, work in good faith, and are very flexible. This is how we support companies in setting up a good shrimp diet, think about the processing and machines for production, propose tailored feed formulas to customers, and share knowledge to optimise the production facility at the location”.
In essence, VDS Premix ensures in-depth knowledge for expanding the aquaculture story of your company.
