Bühler hosts aquafeed training to boost industry efficiency

KENYA – Bühler, a global leader in feed processing technology, hosted an aquaculture technical roundtable on March 19, 2025, at its Nairobi offices in Ruiru, home to the renowned Africa Milling School. 

With over 150 years of expertise in feed processing and 90 years in aquafeed, Bühler brought together industry experts to equip aquafeed processors with the essential knowledge to optimise production, enhance feed quality, and improve profitability.

The global demand for protein is set to rise exponentially, with the population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. Africa will account for nearly half of this growth, requiring a 52% increase in animal protein production to meet nutritional needs.

According to Khalfan Machera, Sales Engineer at Bühler, aquaculture presents a sustainable solution due to its lower carbon emissions, minimal land usage, and superior feed conversion ratio (FCR). 

For instance, tilapia—a key species in African aquaculture—boasts an FCR of 1.2-1.6, even lower than broiler chicken, making it an efficient protein source. 

Furthermore, aquaculture requires significantly less freshwater than traditional livestock production, positioning it as a crucial component in future food security.

Dr. Luan Chao, Head of the Aqua Market Segment at Bühler, provided an overview of the global aquaculture landscape, emphasising that the industry’s growth is driven by increasing fish consumption. 

As demand for fish rises, aquaculture must expand accordingly, driving up the need for high-quality aquafeed.

China leads global aquaculture production and consumption, with an estimated one million metric tons consumed annually. Other Asian nations, including Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, are also rapidly scaling up production.

Africa and Latin America are emerging as key regions driving growth, with tilapia identified as the African continent’s most abundant inland finfish species. 

Projections indicate a 4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for tilapia over the next decade, reinforcing its significance in the region’s aquaculture sector.

Optimising aquafeed production for profitability

With feed costs accounting for up to 65% of aquaculture expenses, optimising feed production is critical for profitability. 

Roger Liang, Global Aquafeed Technologist at Bühler, emphasised the importance of tailoring feed to species-specific feeding behaviours. 

This requires proper processing methods, particularly extrusion and pelletising, to achieve optimal feed characteristics.

Extrusion applies high temperature, pressure, and mechanical shear to shape feed into specific forms. It is the ideal process for producing floating feed, making it suitable for species like tilapia. 

Conversely, pelletising compresses ingredients into uniform pellets at lower temperatures, creating denser, sinking feed suited for certain aquatic species. While less energy-intensive than extrusion, it may require binders to maintain pellet integrity.

Jan Jonkers, an Aqua Feed Production Expert, stressed that achieving uniform extruded fish feed depends on several processing stages, all of which influence starch gelatinisation, oil absorption, feed consistency, and overall pellet quality.

Selecting high-quality raw materials

Max Lu of Guangdong Nutriera Group highlighted the significance of raw material selection in formulating nutritionally balanced and cost-effective fish feed. 

He pointed out that the most preferred animal protein sources include fish meal and dried shrimp, followed by bone meal and poultry meal.

For plant-based protein, ingredients such as soybean meal, rapeseed meal, and sunflower cake play a crucial role in feed formulation. 

Additionally, African feed producers can capitalise on by-products like maize germ, pollard, and wheat middlings, which offer high nutritional value at a lower cost than whole grains.

Lu also cautioned against using fish oil due to its high malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, recommending alternative lipid sources to maintain feed quality and fish health.

Aquaculture in East Africa is expanding at nearly double the global growth rate, signalling an urgent need for the industry to prepare for increasing demand. 

By optimising feed production, adopting sustainable practices, and leveraging advanced processing technologies, the sector can enhance efficiency and profitability, making Bühler’s training strategically timely in preparing the industry for growth. 

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