FEED ONE CO.,LTD. has developed the fishmeal-free eel feed “Kamui ZERO” and is targeting a launch by the end of 2026. As part of efforts to reduce dependence on fishmeal, the company confirmed growth through in-house and field trials.
FEED ONE CO.,LTD. has developed “Kamui ZERO,” an eel feed containing no fishmeal. Development is being pursued as part of a policy aimed at sustainable eel farming, in response to soaring fishmeal prices and unstable supply. Conventional feeds have had a high fishmeal content, and ensuring quality as eel feed has been considered challenging, but the company is testing feed intake and growth with a fishmeal-free formula. The product is scheduled for launch by the end of 2026.
During development, an in-house trial was first conducted at a fisheries research institute comparing conventional feed containing 70% fishmeal with Ethical, a low-fishmeal feed containing 40%. The daily feed intake rate was at least equivalent to that of the conventional-feed group. Next, a field trial was conducted with the cooperation of eel farmers in Kyushu, raising approximately 38,000 eels for approximately 2 months. The growth multiple for Unagimaru, containing 60% fishmeal, and the fishmeal-free feed was approximately 2x, and feed intake was confirmed to be at least equivalent. Feed efficiency, however, was 62.0% for the fishmeal-free feed and 74.9% for Unagimaru, so the fishmeal-free feed did not exceed it. Going forward, the company will verify the feed formulation and manufacturing conditions and seek to improve feed efficiency.
Kamui ZERO’s defining feature is its zero fishmeal content, and the company plans to propose gradually reducing fishmeal use according to the farming environment. Reducing fishmeal is considered likely to ease pressure on marine resources and stabilise feed costs, while commercialisation may help establish aquaculture systems less susceptible to fluctuations in prices and supply.