IFFO: Global Fishmeal and Fish Oil Output Down Sharply in First Seven Months of 2026
IFFO – The Marine Ingredients Organization reports that fishmeal production in the first seven months of 2026 is down 49 percent year-on-year, while fish oil output has fallen 30 percent, with declines driven primarily by Peru and Chile and compounded by softer catches in Africa and Northern Europe.
Global fishmeal and fish oil production has fallen sharply in the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, according to the latest production snapshot from IFFO – The Marine Ingredients Organization, published on 16 September 2026.
IFFO reported that fishmeal output is down 49 percent year-on-year for the January–July 2026 period, while fish oil output has declined by 30 percent over the same timeframe. The organization attributed the bulk of the decline to reduced output from Peru and Chile, the world's two largest producers of marine ingredients.
However, the shortfall is not confined to South America. According to IFFO, weaker catches in Africa and Northern Europe have compounded the production losses, contributing to what the organization describes as a global drop in output.
The figures are significant for the animal feed and aquafeed industries, which rely on fishmeal and fish oil as key sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids respectively. A sustained reduction in supply at this scale could place upward pressure on prices and prompt feed manufacturers to seek alternative or supplementary ingredients.
IFFO has not yet provided a full-year production forecast in the reported data. The original report was published via SeafoodSource and summarized by Saving Seafood on 16–17 September 2026.
Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
