CHANGING SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR FISH OIL

Competition for fish oil from human nutritional supplements (nutraceuticals) is starting to threaten its supply for aquaculture feeds. World supply of fish oil is not increasing but is the main source of healthy omega-3 fats (n-3 LC-PUFA). Fish oil demand by nutraceuticals is a derived demand for such fats. Demand growth and insecure supply are causing price inflation of fish oil, helping to drive its substitution in aquaculture feeds by vegetable oils. This is reducing the content of n-3 LC-PUFA in aquaculture products, especially salmon, with potentially negative health implications. Given the scope for further substitution of fish oil, it is unlikely that future growth of global aquaculture will be constrained by reducing omega-3 content, although it will complicate consumer marketing of salmon. Nutraceuticals is paying more than aquaculture for fish oil based on omega-3 content, but novel sources of n-3 LC-PUFA will become available in the medium term.