AquaFeedData
Duration:
04/2026
—
03/2028
Total Project Duration
2 Years
Credit: JOANNEUM RESEARCH/Lienhart
The project
AquaFeedData collects and generates socioeconomic and environmental data on potential fish feed production in Austria using regional raw materials. This data base helps address practical questions and supports the development of sustainable feed systems for a competitive aquaculture sector in Austria.
The key research questions are:
- Under what conditions is fish feed produced from regional raw materials economically viable?
- How does its carbon footprint compare with that of products currently available on the market?
Our activities in the project
The project collects, processes and analyses socioeconomic and environmental data on potential regional fish feed production. Data collection covers costs, production processes, supply chains and competition along the value chain, as well as mass and energy balances for raw materials that could replace marine fishmeal in feed. These data provide the basis for modelling the economic impacts on typical aquaculture farms and assessing environmental impacts through life cycle assessment.
Downloads
Customers
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management; Funding: European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)
Project partner
Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH (AGES)
Biofisch GmbH
Bundesamt für Wasserwirtschaft (BAW)
Ingenieurbüro Dipl.-Ing. Markus Payr
Details of the project
Fish produced in Austria is in demand, yet the country’s self-sufficiency rate remains low. At the same time, the aquaculture sector relies heavily on imports of fishmeal and fish oil derived from marine fisheries, leaving it exposed to global price increases. Fish feed produced from regional raw materials could reduce this dependence and strengthen regional value creation.
AquaFeedData investigates the economic potential and environmental impacts of fish feed production in Austria using alternative raw materials. Building on previous pilot studies on data collection in fisheries and aquaculture, the project specifically addresses gaps in socioeconomic data. It complements the DaFNE project „AquaFeed“, which investigates the technical and legal feasibility of such feed. Coordinated implementation allows the two projects to make the most of synergies while maintaining a clear distinction between their respective scopes.
Methods
- Socioeconomic data collection: Collection of data on raw material costs and quantities, revenues, production systems and flows of key resources, taking into account quality, safety and relevant EU legislation
- Production network analysis: Determination of the costs of different production options, allocation of costs to realistic production volumes and economic assessment of potential supply chains
- Typical Farm Approach: Generation and validation of data for specific aquaculture segments using a microeconomic model to analyse impacts on farm-level costs and returns
- Life cycle assessment (cradle-to-gate): Comparison of the carbon footprints of regionally produced and conventional fish feed based on mass and energy balances, alongside scenario comparisons involving different raw materials and production technologies
The results provide a robust evidence base for assessing the economic and environmental potential of fish feed production using regional raw materials. Recommendations for the next steps towards implementation will be derived from these findings.
