Sunflower Meal for Aquaculture Market Rides Plant-Based Protein Wave

The global sunflower meal for aquaculture market is experiencing sustained growth, driven by the structural shift towards plant-based proteins in aquafeed formulations. As aquaculture output continues to increase, feed manufacturers are incorporating sunflower meal as a cost-effective and nutritionally viable alternative to fishmeal.

Sunflower meal offers a favorable amino acid profile, low anti-nutritional factors, and competitive pricing, making it an attractive ingredient for salmon, shrimp, and tilapia diets. The product is derived from sunflower seeds after oil extraction, and the market currently accounts for 6-9% of total sunflower meal consumption.

Supply remains concentrated in the Black Sea region, with Ukraine and Russia together contributing 50-60% of global exports. However, trade disruptions have prompted diversification toward the European Union and Argentina, where price differentials are a key accelerator. Fishmeal averages $1,500-1,800 per tonne, while sunflower meal trades at $250-410 per tonne CFR key Asian ports.