Trout produced by Truite Service, fed with a pioneering Skretting diet that incorporates a unique algal oil developed by Veramaris arrived on retail shelves in France this week, progressing sustainable seafood availability in the market to a new level. This breakthrough trout diet is the latest in a succession of collaborations between the two companies. In 2019, they made waves when salmon raised on a similar diet was first made available to French consumers by retailer Supermarché Match.

In addition to meeting consumer expectations for responsibly produced food, this proven new approach to aquaculture diets is also responsible for generating increased sales, with Supermarché Match recently reporting a 12% growth in its salmon category following the launch of salmon from Norwegian farmer Lingalaks, fed Skretting’s aforementioned salmon diet.

“We are very happy to see Truite Service seizing on the opportunity to introduce our first-to-market diet. It’s also extremely pleasing that retailers are on board in this supply chain,” says Elodie Petit, Marketing Manager at Skretting France. “These new feeds are the result of decades of R&D by Skretting, and to secure such strong market support is a further demonstration that our long-term commitment to innovation is paying dividends for our value chain partners.”

As well as enabling trout farmers to achieve high levels of fish growth and performance, the new diet reduces some of the burden placed on the finite fish oil resource. Being rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, the algal oil complements the feed’s other beneficial, responsibly-sourced ingredients, providing the opportunity to supply end-consumers with healthy and sustainable seafood products.

“With the well-known benefits of eating a diet rich in omega-3s, the alternative source that we provide complements the finite supply of fish oil from wild-caught fish, and trout and salmon consumers have access to sustainable and healthy fish,” says Gaëlle Husser, Global Business Development Director at Veramaris.

A sustainable future together

“It can take some time to bring the products to market, but the outcomes are clear for all to see – consumers are willing to pay for seafood that includes those novel alternatives that we are working hard to implement,” comments Petit. “Equally, it responds to the crucial requirement from fish farmers to have access to new solutions that are financially feasible and offer true value to their operations.”

In addition, through using these products, Truite Service has not only shown a strong dedication to the development of sustainable French aquaculture, but is also benefitting from increased sales. The supply chain partners are committed to continue working to ensure a sustainable future together.

“Aquaculture is ideally placed to provide consumers everywhere with highly nutritious, healthy protein. This latest initiative also recognises how important it is that people have access to fish produced with minimal environmental or social impacts,” says Husser.