Feed Manufacturing Advances in Indian Sustainable Shrimp Nutrition

Introduction

India's shrimp aquaculture industry is certainly growing rapidly and is indeed generating new levels of innovation in feed formulations that optimize performance and sustainability. Shrimp feed represents as much as 50–60% of the total production cost, making it a powerful lever for improving yields and margins. The industry is moving towards higher efficiency, and low FCR (feed conversion ratio) feeds using plant proteins, probiotics, and immune-boosting additives. As shrimp exports grow and sustainability benchmarks rise, the feed segment is emerging as a focal point for investors, integrators, and policymakers.

Research institutions and private companies are collaborating to optimize feed formulations tailored to different shrimp species and regional farming conditions, ensuring better growth rates and disease resistance. In February 2023, Skretting India inaugurated a modern shrimp and fish feed plant in Surat, enhancing production capacity and supporting sustainable aquaculture growth. Moreover, advances in feed pellet technology are improving water stability and minimizing wastage, which contributes to healthier pond environments and reduced pollution.

Government programs and certification schemes increasingly promote the use of sustainable feeds that comply with global standards for responsible aquaculture. The intersection of science, policy, and market pressures are turning shrimp feed innovation into an important lever for sustainable growth of India's shrimp economy that delivers profitability and environmental sustainability.

For broader production and export insights, visit the India Shrimp Market

Feeding Innovation Is Reshaping India’s Shrimp Value Chain

Indian feed manufacturers finally started reformulating their diets to replace the conventional fishmeal protein source, fishmeal, with sustainable alternatives, such as soybean meal, rice bran, and microalgae. These increasingly available ingredients not only allow feed manufacturers to reduce their environmental footprint but also minimize the risk associated with fluctuating fishmeal prices. Additionally, the entry of probiotic and prebiotic additives is improving gut health and enhancing disease mitigation for certain pathogens, such as white spot disease (WSSV), and early mortality syndrome (EMS).

At the same time, automated feeding systems allow for the accurate delivery of precise doses of feed on large farms, which can reduce feeding waste and subsequent run-offs to the environment. Many regions have improved feed conversion ratios and production cycle sustainability across productivity leading aquaculture states, such as, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat as both ecological sustainability, and productive efficiency. As aquaculture advances and continues to grow, traceability from feeds and compliance to export channels will start to stand out as differentiator attributes in the global marketplace.

Moreover, the emphasis on innovation alongside continued investment in research and development, is facilitating the development of location-specificity of feeds, to address the varying climatic and quality of water in India's aquaculture feed production zones. Localized feed will ultimately lead to a more efficient feed utilization, better shrimp growth performance, and reduced stress on the environment.

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Shrimp Feed and Nutritional Requirements
2. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) Trends in India
3. Protein Sources: Transition from Fishmeal to Plant-Based Feeds
4. Role of Probiotics, Enzymes, and Immune Enhancers
5. Feed Manufacturing Landscape and Key Players
6. Regional Demand Patterns and Supply Chain Infrastructure
7. Technology Adoption: Auto Feeders and Precision Farming
8. Sustainability and Regulatory Drivers in Feed Formulation
9. Export Market Alignment: Feed Compliance and Certifications
10. Forecast: Innovation in Functional and Next-Gen Shrimp Feed

Related Resources

Aquaculture Market

Shrimp Market

India Aquafeed Market