Petfood

Category 3 petfood – fish raw materials for the feed and pet food industry

Category 3 petfood covers fish raw materials created during the processing of fish intended for human consumption. This material is produced mainly during filleting, portioning and further preparation of fish such as salmon, cod or pollock. In the feed industry, these raw materials are widely used as an ingredient in the production of pet food and feed for farmed fish.

This group includes primarily Category 3 fish raw materials intended for plants producing dog and cat food, aquafeed manufacturers and farms breeding fur animals. In many formulations, they are also used by companies developing compound feeds for livestock.

The fish material available in this category is valued for its high protein content and naturally occurring fats. As a result, fish raw materials for pet food manufacturers are an important element of many nutritional formulations. Properly processed raw materials maintain a stable technological composition, which makes production planning for pet food and feed easier.

In practice, fish raw materials for pet food manufacturers can be used in the production of wet food, dry food and specialised animal diets. This material also goes to manufacturers of feed for farmed fish such as salmon, trout or farmed cod.

The raw materials available in this category are also used by fur animal farms. Fish raw materials for mink farms are an important element of many feeding systems in farms specialising in fur animal breeding.

Types of raw material in the category and the most common applications in pet food production

Within the group of fish raw materials for the feed industry, there are various technological components used in the production of pet food and aquafeed. Each of them performs a specific function in the formulation and affects the nutritional value of the final product.

Fish meals

One of the most commonly used ingredients is fish meal. This raw material is produced through drying and grinding fish components. Thanks to its high protein content, fish meal is widely used in the production of feed for fish and pet food.

In the feed industry, the following are particularly valued:

• fish meal 62%,
• salmon meal 67%,
• meals produced from cod, pollock or other fish species.

For many manufacturers, quality stability and batch repeatability are important. That is why fish meal manufacturer and fish meal wholesale are often chosen by feed plants planning production on a large scale.

Fish oils

Another group of raw materials are fish oils. Fish oil wholesale and salmon oil for petfood are an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. These ingredients support the condition of the skin and coat and help maintain proper body function.

Fish oils are used mainly in:

• the production of dog and cat food,
• the production of feed for farmed fish,
• high-protein food formulations.

In the petfood industry, fish oils are often used as an enriching component in wet and dry food.

Fish raw materials for further processing

In addition to meals and oils, there are also various fish components intended for further technological processing. Fish raw materials for wet food manufacturers and fish raw materials for dry food manufacturers may include fish meat portions, fillet trimmings or other components generated during processing.

Such raw materials are primarily supplied to manufacturers of dog and cat food, as well as companies developing feed blends for aquaculture.

How to choose the right fish raw material for feed and pet food production

The selection of the right component depends primarily on the type of food or feed being produced. Fish raw materials for dog and cat food manufacturers should feature a stable protein composition and an appropriate fat content.

When selecting raw material, it is worth paying attention to several elements:

• the origin of the raw material and batch traceability,
• protein content in the case of fish meal,
• the stability of the fat composition of fish oil,
• the technological purpose in food production.

For many production plants, the possibility of long-term cooperation with one supplier is also important. That is why companies often look for partners operating as a petfood fish raw material supplier or petfood fish raw material wholesaler.

In aquaculture, protein quality is especially important. Fish raw materials for fish feed should be easily digestible for aquatic organisms and support stable growth of farmed fish species.

Storage, transport and raw material safety

Raw materials used in the feed industry must be stored under appropriate logistics conditions. Maintaining the correct cold chain and controlling humidity in the case of dry products are particularly important.

Fish meals are usually stored in dry warehouses with a stable temperature. Fish oils, on the other hand, require sealed tanks and protection from light and oxygen.

Microbiological safety of raw materials is also very important in the feed industry. For this reason, manufacturers and distributors ensure regular quality testing and control of every product batch.

Logistics stability is especially important for companies operating in the international market. Fish raw materials for the petfood industry in Europe must meet requirements related to traceability and animal feed safety.

Certificates and origin of fish raw material

Increasingly important in the petfood industry is the origin of raw materials and responsible management of fish resources. That is why many food manufacturers choose MSC fish raw materials for petfood or ASC fish raw materials for petfood.

These certificates confirm that the fish were sourced from fisheries or farms operated in accordance with sustainable fishing principles. For animal food manufacturers, this means the possibility of ensuring full raw material traceability.

Certified raw materials are increasingly used in the production of high-quality food. This especially applies to companies producing fish raw materials for premium food manufacturers and plants developing fish raw materials for high-protein feed manufacturers.

Thanks to their high nutritional value and broad technological applications, Category 3 fish raw materials remain an important part of the supply chain in the feed industry. They support the production of pet food, aquaculture feed and feeding systems on breeding farms.