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The Potential Use of Palm Kernel Meal in Aquaculture Feeds

Document format: Pdf

Publisher: Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific

Creation date: March 2003

For most aquaculture systems, the cost of feed constitutes 30 to 60 percent of the operational costs of the farm, with protein being the most expensive dietary component. Even though fishmeal continues to be used as a major source of dietary protein in commercial aquafeeds, its escalating cost has stimulated much research into the use of alternative plant protein sources. Among the plant proteins tested, soybean meal has enjoyed the most commercial success. Nevertheless, soybeans are not grown in tropical countries and soybean meal has to be imported. In recent years, the cost of imported feed ingredients used in commercial aquafeeds in many developing countries in Asia has continued to rise due to increased global demand and because of foreign currency exchange fluctuations. The rising costs of imported ingredients such as fish meal, soybean meal, corn flour and wheat flour greatly cuts into the profit margins of local fish farmers to such an extent that many local aquaculture enterprises are no longer profitable. This is especially true for the culture of lower-value fish species such as catfish, tilapia and carps. There is currently great interest within the animal feed industry to reduce costs by using locally available feed ingredients.

Key Words: NACA • Palm Kernel Meal • Protein • Soy Protein • Aquatic Animal Nutrition • Feed • FAO