Bug Ideas: Assessing the market potential and regulation of insects

Abstract

Insects can be grown at industrial scale using low energy, low water and high waste inputs. They have the correct nutritional makeup of protein, fat and omega-3s to supplement fishmeal when fed to fish, pigs and chickens. Furthermore, the ability to control the insect rearing conditions means the cost and output of insect meal can be more stable than fishmeal, which has dramatic price fluctuations. This leaves opportunity for a new feedstock to capitalize upon the increased demand for feed. This project will provide clarity and guidance in the emerging insect-based feedstock market. The two areas of focus are regulatory status and market potential. The primary geographical scope of this project will be the United States of America. However, given the global nature of feed, relevant tangential international implications will be presented as well.