Cefetra, a leader in agricultural supply chains, and BioMar, a global producer of aquaculture feed, have formed a new partnership to reduce emissions from key vegetable-based ingredients in aquaculture diets.
As the world’s population grows, the need for efficient and responsible food production continues to rise. In 2022, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries for the first time, contributing 51 percent of the total global output of aquatic animals. While aquaculture already has one of the lowest feed conversion ratios in animal farming, more than 80 percent of fish emissions are linked to feed and raw material sourcing. Reducing these emissions and improving supply chain resilience is therefore a shared challenge for the sector.
By combining expertise from agriculture and aquaculture, BioMar and Cefetra are addressing this challenge head-on. The collaboration focuses on cutting emissions at the source, supporting farmers in the transition to regenerative practices, and strengthening the link between crop production and fish farming.
The initiative, starting in the UK, targets the carbon footprint of vegetable-based feed ingredients such as wheat, which form an essential part of fish diets. Through Cefetra Ecosystem Services, launched in 2023 in partnership with Soil Capital, UK farmers are supported in adopting practices that improve soil health and deliver verified carbon removals. Farmers are financially rewarded for these improvements, reducing the risks of transition while enabling companies like BioMar to meet climate targets through measurable, on-the-ground results.
James Neilson, Supply Chain Director at Cefetra Ecosystem Services, said: “Cefetra’s unique position allows us to aggregate demand from hundreds of buyers across industries. This enables us to create long-term solutions that put soil health and carbon removals at the core. With our deep knowledge of the supply chain, we can ensure improvements on the farm translate into real climate benefits for downstream sectors like aquaculture.”
Ivana Russo, Formulations Manager and Sustainability Lead at BioMar UK, added: “At BioMar, we believe that responsible growth in aquaculture starts at the source. By partnering with Cefetra Ecosystem Services, we are reducing emissions where it matters most, while supporting farmers and building more resilient food systems. This collaboration is an important step towards meeting our science-based climate targets and delivering low-carbon feed solutions to our customers.”
The work of BioMar and Cefetra Ecosystem Services was recently highlighted in the Executive TV episode Circular Horizons: Farming, Construction, and the Race to Redefine Waste, showcasing the role of cross-sector partnerships in delivering practical environmental improvements. You can watch the episode here.
Together, BioMar and Cefetra are demonstrating how agriculture and aquaculture can collaborate to deliver measurable environmental benefits and stronger supply chains, from the soil to the seafood.
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