NETHERLANDS – Albert Heijn, one of the Netherlands’ largest supermarket chains, has introduced a new range of sustainably farmed shrimp, sourced through a collaboration with a consortium of industry leaders.
This innovative supply chain includes Klaas Puul, a shrimp importer; Skretting, a feed manufacturer; Veramaris and Protix, providers of advanced feed ingredients; and Cofimar, an aquaculture farm based in Ecuador.
The consortium’s efforts have led to the development of a novel shrimp feed, created by Skretting Ecuador specifically for Cofimar’s operations.
This feed is distinguished by its use of alternative ingredients such as algal oil from Veramaris, which is high in Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, and insect meal from Protix.
These components have significantly reduced the marine resource dependency of the shrimp feed.
The shrimp produced under this initiative are certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and are raised under strict welfare standards, ensuring that both environmental sustainability and social responsibility are upheld throughout the farming process.
Consumers in the Netherlands can now find these shrimp products at Albert Heijn stores, underscoring the retailer’s commitment to sustainability and animal welfare in its seafood offerings.
Emiel Beekwilders, Albert Heijn’s Quality Manager for Meat, Seafood, and Cheese, remarked that the collaboration with partners such as Veramaris, Skretting, Klaas Puul, Cofimar, and Protix is not only advancing sustainable aquaculture but is also providing healthier and more environmentally responsible choices for consumers.
This move by Albert Heijn comes as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the Dutch shrimp market, which is already booming.
In 2021, the Netherlands was the tenth-largest importer of seafood globally, with imports totaling US$4.5 billion, representing 2.8% of the world’s seafood imports.
In that year, the Netherlands’ primary seafood imports included frozen shrimp, prepared tuna, skipjack, or Atlantic bonito, and fresh or chilled Atlantic and Danube salmon.
Meanwhile, Canada’s key exports to the Netherlands consisted of frozen lobster, fats and oils, and various molluscs.
Fish represented the largest category in the Dutch seafood market in 2021, with sales reaching US$1.7 billion.
Looking ahead, shelf-stable processed seafood is projected to be the fastest-growing category from 2022 to 2026, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.
Molluscs and cephalopods are anticipated to be the second fastest-growing segment, with a CAGR of 4.1% over the same period.
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