Experts have emphasised that high-quality aquafeed is indispensable for the long-term success of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. This view was highlighted during discussions on future strategies and sustainable development at the AquaCON conference held on 9 July in Cairo, Egypt. The event was jointly organised by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and WorldFish Egypt.
The conference brought together leading figures from the fisheries sector across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region, alongside nutritionists, academics and U.S. soybean farmers.
According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), global fisheries and aquaculture production has already reached a record 235 million tonnes, underlining the sector’s critical role in ensuring global food security. The conference noted that Egypt is currently the largest fish producer in Africa, while Bangladesh ranks as the world’s sixth-largest producer and is the biggest market for U.S. soybeans in South Asia. Rapid growth in both countries has significantly increased demand for high-quality feed across the region.
Speakers at the conference stressed the importance of nutritional value and consistency in aquafeed. A study presented at the event indicated that damage levels in U.S. soybeans are nearly five times lower than those in soybeans from other regions, such as Brazil, at 1.24 per cent compared with 5.78 per cent. This difference was attributed to natural sun-drying practices in the United States, whereas in South America, crops are often dried using mechanical dryers in humid conditions, which can reduce nutritional quality due to heat exposure. Naturally dried U.S. soybeans were found to have higher digestibility and metabolizable energy, contributing to improved aquaculture productivity.
Kevin Roepke, USSEC Regional Director for MENASA, said that the consistent quality of U.S. soybeans helps feed mills reduce operational costs and risks, adding that this reliability distinguishes U.S. soybeans in the global market.
Sustainability in feed production was also a key focus. Producers noted that U.S. soybeans have comparatively low carbon emissions. This is supported by the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP), which helps international buyers meet environmental, social and governance requirements.
Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, Vice Chair of USSEC and an Illinois soybean farmer, said that American farmers ensure sustainable agricultural practices at every stage, from soil preparation to harvesting.
Khabibur Rahman Kanchan, USSEC Bangladesh Team Lead, told Channel i that although Bangladesh is the world’s sixth-largest fish producer, it has limited participation in international seafood markets. He said the primary objective of involving Bangladeshi stakeholders in AquaCON was to provide them with a clearer understanding of global market dynamics.
Ferdous Murad, an IPRS expert from Bangladesh who attended the conference, said that participation in the Cairo event made it evident that while Bangladesh has made significant progress in fish production, there remains considerable untapped potential globally, which can be realised with the right initiatives.
Experts at the conference agreed that as demand for protein continues to rise across the MENASA region, the expansion of the aquaculture sector will increasingly depend on reliable, high-quality and environmentally sustainable feed ingredients such as premium soybeans.
