Protein Meals & Alternative Proteins
Insect Protein
Also known as: Black soldier fly meal · BSF meal · Hermetia illucens
Black soldier fly, mealworm or house-fly larvae meal. 55–65% CP, growing rapidly as a sustainable alternative to fish meal.
Applications by species
shrimpsalmontrouttilapiacatfishpet foodbroilerslayers
Top global export origins
Netherlands France Germany United States South Africa Malaysia Singapore
FeedMatch Group's RFQ Builder benchmarks landed costs across origins for your discharge port and shipment window.
Certifications & quality standards
GMP+ FAMI-QS IFFO RS-equivalent
EU authorised for poultry and swine (Reg 2021/1372). Halal insect meal is emerging as a regulatory grey area; check destination market.
Buyer considerations
Advantages
- Very low land and water footprint
- Antimicrobial peptides support gut health
- Substitutes fish meal at 50–100% in many aqua diets
Constraints & risks
- Price premium of 2–4× fish meal at 2025 volumes
- Limited scaled supply; multi-year offtake contracts recommended
Frequently asked questions
Is insect protein cheaper than fish meal?
Not yet — commercial BSF meal ran €2,500–4,000/t in 2024–2025 vs. €1,700–2,200/t for prime anchovy meal. TCO parity expected 2027–2029 as capacity scales.
Can I use insect meal in EU layer feed?
Yes since 2021 (Reg 2021/1372). Consumer-facing labelling considerations apply for egg brands.
Which certifications should I ask insect suppliers for?
GMP+ FSA, ISO 9001, IFIF or IPIFF membership, plus documented substrate traceability.