Skretting becomes Japan’s first ASC-certified feed mill

JAPAN – Skretting Japan has made history as the country’s first feed mill to receive Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification, marking a significant milestone for Japan’s seafood farming industry. 

The certification of the Imari Plant, located in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, represents a major step toward greater transparency in feed supply chains and reinforces Skretting’s leadership in responsible aquaculture feed production.

As a global leader in aquaculture feed and a Nutreco business line, Skretting produces high-quality feed for more than 60 fish and shrimp species. 

The Imari Plant manufactures feed for freshwater trout, salmon, seabass, seabream, meagre, seriola, cobia, and tropical marine finfish. 

With this certification, Skretting Japan strengthens its approach to due diligence, enhances supplier assessments, and gains more profound insights into its supply chain’s legal, environmental, and social risks. 

The achievement also fosters stronger engagement with upstream suppliers, ensuring greater accountability in producing sustainable feed.

Gihyeon Park, General Manager at Skretting Japan, emphasised the importance of this milestone, stating that obtaining ASC Feed Certification aligns with the company’s purpose of “Feeding the Future” sustainably and responsibly. 

He described the certification not as a final goal but as the beginning of a more sustainable future. Park expressed pride in the team that made this accomplishment possible and highlighted its impact on Japan’s aquaculture industry, helping align Japanese seafood production with global sustainability standards.

Koji Yamamoto, General Manager Japan at ASC, added, “Having Skretting as Japan’s first ASC-certified feed mill is a major milestone for responsible seafood farming. Their certification demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable feed production, especially as we approach the October 31, 2025, deadline for ASC-certified farms to transition to ASC-conforming feed.”

Gaining traction with ASC certifications globally 

Skretting’s commitment to responsible aquafeed production extends beyond Japan. In March, Skretting Spain became the first aquaculture feed manufacturer in the European Union to receive ASC Feed Standard certification. 

Meanwhile, Skretting Chile’s Osorno plant was the first Skretting facility and the world’s first salmon feed company to obtain certification in early 2024. 

Since then, additional facilities in Ecuador, Honduras, Canada, and Norway have also been certified after rigorous audits.

Jorge Diaz, Skretting’s Sustainability Director, highlighted the company’s dedication to expanding ASC Feed Standard certification across its global operations. 

“In the past year, seven of our operating companies have obtained ASC Feed Standard certification, and we are preparing to certify additional locations where there is market demand,” said Jorge Diaz, Sustainability Director at Skretting. 

Diaz emphasised that this standard raises the bar for accountability and transparency in aquafeed production, ensuring that farmers can maintain their ASC Farm certifications by transitioning to certified feeds before the October 2025 deadline.

The ASC Feed Standard establishes rigorous requirements for aquafeed production, covering key areas such as social and labor rights, health and safety, environmental stewardship, and responsible sourcing of raw materials. 

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