The enterprise JSC

Russia Boosts Domestic Fish Feed Production as Largest Plant Nears Completion

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

In a major stride towards food security and import independence, the reconstruction of Russia's largest fish feed plant in the Smolensk region is nearing completion. The facility, set to produce 108,000 tons annually, will focus on high-quality feeds for salmon, sturgeon, and carp, marking a pivotal moment for the nation's rapidly expanding aquaculture sector.

SMOLENSK REGION – Russia is significantly bolstering its domestic fish feed production capabilities with the nearing completion of the country's largest plant, operated by JSC "GK MELKOM" in the Smolensk region. This ambitious project aims to produce an impressive 108,000 tons of specialized fish feed per year, a move critical to supporting Russia's booming aquaculture industry and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

The feed recipes have been meticulously developed in collaboration with the State Research Center of the Russian Federation FGBNU "VNIRO," an institution under the Federal Agency for Fisheries. These formulations consider the physiological characteristics of various fish species, their different cultivation stages, and crucial requirements for maintaining the environmental safety of water bodies. Production will prioritize feed for valuable species such as salmon, sturgeon, and carp.

Initially, the plant plans to launch two production lines with a combined capacity of 15 tons per hour. The project is expected to create 400 new jobs, with recruitment and personnel training already underway.

Fueling Aquaculture Growth and Import Substitution

The reconstruction of the GK MELKOM plant comes as Russia's aquaculture sector experiences robust growth. Over the past decade, the area of water utilized for fish farming in Russia has surged by 2.5 times, expanding from 225,000 hectares in 2014 to 566.8 thousand hectares in 2024. Consequently, the volume of aquaculture production has more than doubled compared to 2015 figures. This expansion has been accompanied by a gradual shift away from foreign fish feed, driving a growing demand for domestically produced alternatives.

Government support measures have been instrumental in facilitating the development of this vital segment. Ilya Shestakov, head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries, emphasized the broader implications of this development. "Domestic companies are increasing the volume of production of highly productive fish feed. Thus, a production chain is being formed that is independent of import supplies. This is a contribution to ensuring the country's food security," he stated.

Russian enterprises are actively integrating domestic scientific advancements into their operations. VNIRO's specialized feed recipes have already been implemented at several plants. Furthermore, industry science is innovating by creating components that successfully replace foreign analogues. A prime example is the "Fidaktiv pink" supplement, which comprehensive studies have shown to be comparable in effectiveness to the imported component "Carophyll pink." This domestic ingredient is now included in the recipes for trout feeds produced by two major Russian manufacturers, underscoring the success of import substitution efforts.

The completion of the GK MELKOM plant is set to further solidify Russia's self-sufficiency in the crucial fish feed sector, providing a stable foundation for the continued growth of its aquaculture industry.

Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

Print