Chicken-fed Salmon May Be in Irish Supermarkets, Article Says
Salmon reared on poultry-derived feed may already be circulating in Irish supermarkets, following a global shift in aquaculture production driven by rising fish meal costs. As major European producers transition to chicken-based feed to maintain margins, the lack of mandatory ingredient labeling for fish diets makes it difficult for consumers to identify the source of their seafood.
Market Drivers Behind the Feed Shift
The transition toward poultry-based salmon feed is a direct response to a supply-side squeeze in the global protein market. Prices for fish meal have nearly doubled over the past two years due to dwindling wild fish stocks and surging demand for feed in China. In contrast, poultry feed can currently be purchased for less than half the price per tonne, making it a more attractive option for large-scale producers.
Lerøy Seafood Group confirmed to the Financial Times that it has integrated chicken byproducts into its offshore salmon farms. Similar shifts are underway at Mowi, the largest salmon producer in Europe, as well as Grieg Seafood and SalMar, which have begun testing or implementing poultry-based diets.
Retailers Are Not Required to List Fish-Feed Ingredients
While the practice of feeding poultry byproducts to salmon is legally permissible under current regulations, it remains a point of contention for retail consumers. A 2026 study by the food institute Nofima highlights a significant perception gap, noting that consumers in the UK and France frequently characterize the practice as “unnatural and disgusting.”
Despite this sentiment, the retail supply chain provides little visibility for the end buyer. Retailers and brands are not currently required to list fish-feed ingredients on product packaging. This creates an information asymmetry where the procurement decisions of multinational aquaculture firms remain opaque to the average shopper.
The Irish Market Distinction
Irish salmon producers have opted to exclude poultry-based feed from their operations, providing a localized alternative for consumers seeking to avoid these products. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) notes that 99 per cent of Irish-farmed salmon carries organic certification. Under EU law, this certification mandates that fish are fed a diet of sustainable organic feed, excluding land-based animal products.
The Irish salmon industry has taken the decision to exclude this from their diets following customer requests.
BIM clarifies that while poultry byproducts are technically allowed under broader organic standards, the domestic industry maintains a stricter internal policy. Feed used in Ireland typically includes fish oil, vegetable ingredients, vitamins, and minerals. Astaxanthin is also added to boost the immune system and protect tissue; it is the substance that gives salmon its pink colour. BIM stresses that this must be derived from organic sources, such as crustacean shells or the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma. However, the agency acknowledges its oversight limitations, stating it does not have visibility into the specific feed practices employed by overseas producers or the composition of imported seafood products currently sitting on Irish shelves.
Risk Management in Global Supply Chains
The reliance on volatile, commodity-based feed inputs highlights the risks facing food producers as they manage fluctuating resource availability. With wild salmon stocks down 80 per cent since the 1970s, the industry faces mounting pressure to balance sustainability with cost-efficiency.