Krill Meal

Description

1. Product Overview
Krill Meal is a high-protein, omega-3-rich ingredient derived from sustainably harvested Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), processed via low-temperature drying to preserve bioactivity. Its primary industrial use is as a premium functional feed ingredient in aquaculture, pet food, and specialty livestock nutrition, where it serves as a natural attractant and source of phospholipid-bound EPA/DHA. The key value proposition lies in its superior digestibility, palatability enhancement, and immune-supporting astaxanthin content—directly improving feed conversion ratios (FCR) and animal health. Strategically, Krill Meal is critical for producers transitioning away from fishmeal dependency while meeting rising demand for clean-label, performance-driven animal nutrition.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Crude protein ≥ 60%, crude fat (including phospholipids) ≥ 15%, ash ≤ 15%, moisture ≤ 8%, astaxanthin ≥ 150 ppm

• Purity / Grade: Industrial feed grade; free of ethoxyquin, antibiotics, and GMOs; low fluoride (< 300 ppm)

• Physical characteristics: Fine powder; natural reddish-pink color; 100% pass 1 mm mesh; bulk density 550–650 g/L

• Packaging options: 20 kg multi-wall kraft paper bags with inner PE liner; 1 MT super sacks; or custom bulk bags

• Shelf life: 24 months when stored in cool, dry conditions (< 25°C, RH < 65%) away from direct sunlight

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Aquaculture (salmonids, shrimp, marine fish), pet food (premium dry/canned diets for dogs and cats), and specialty livestock (weanling piglets, laying hens)

• Operational use cases:

  • Aquaculture: Inclusion at 2–8% in starter and grower feeds to boost palatability, reduce FCR by 6–12%, and enhance pigmentation in salmon flesh

  • Pet food: 1–4% inclusion as natural flavor coating and omega-3 source, eliminating synthetic attractants

  • Weanling piglets: 5% inclusion post-weaning to reduce diarrhea incidence via immunomodulatory effects

• Performance advantage: Krill Meal outperforms fishmeal due to its phospholipid-bound omega-3s (higher absorption), natural astaxanthin (antioxidant storage stability), and low histamine profile—resulting in faster growth rates and lower mortality. Cost-equivalent FCR savings often offset the premium price.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Monthly third-party testing for protein, fat, fluoride, and heavy metals (ISO 17025 accredited lab) with batch-specific COA per shipment

• Supply reliability: Long-term quotas under Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR); annual harvest capacity of 50,000 MT raw material equivalent

• Logistics capability: 12 strategically located warehouses globally (North America, EU, SEA); lead time 5–10 days for stock products

• Price competitiveness: Tiered pricing for contract volumes > 500 MT/year; fixed-price quarterly offers reduce procurement volatility

• Sustainability: MSC-certified fishery; 100% traceable from vessel to bag; zero bycatch and no underwater storage waste

• Technical support: Free formulation modeling service and digestibility coefficients (in vitro, porcine, salmon) provided upon NDA

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): BULK 20MT (single SKU, standard packaging or super sacks)

• Loading capacity: 24 MT per 20’ dry container (palletized, 1.2 MT per pallet × 20 pallets); 26 MT per 40’ HC container