Adapting Innovation to Local Contexts: Key takeaways from the Asia-Pacific Agrifood Innovation Summit

Insights for effective innovation in Asian aquaculture

Earlier this month, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit brought together 800 senior decision-makers from agribusinesses, food and ingredients brands, governments, funds, and philanthropic organisations, for three days of sessions dedicated to exploring answers to a fundamental question: how do we effectively and sustainably feed our population? For CFI, the summit reinforced the importance of Asia in the future of aquaculture, the crucial role of feed sourcing in achieving regional food security and the appetite for innovations in ag-tech and food-tech to drive growth of the sector in the region. This article outlines our key messages from the conference on the application of feed innovation solutions to aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific.

1. Asian aquaculture is a pivotal market for novel feed ingredients

Asian aquaculture accounts for 75% of global fisheries and aquaculture production. It is home to the top seven aquaculture-producing countries by volume: China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea. Demand for aquatic food products in Asia is also growing faster than anywhere else in the world. A number of these countries also rely heavily upon imports of fish meal and soybean meal for aquaculture feeds. As protein demand rises and domestic food production becomes an increasingly prioritised issue across Asian nations, to increase resilience against climatic, trade and geopolitical disruptions, Asian aquaculture represents a pivotal market for novel feed ingredients.

However, achieving commercial-scale adoption of novel feed ingredients in Asia will require overcoming regulatory, structural, and financial barriers that somewhat constrain novel ingredient adoption to primarily Northern European countries. For example, regulatory gaps in approvals for promising novel feed ingredients, like algal oils, still remain in several countries in the region. Further investment to develop high-value species, improve supply chain logistics, and control disease is also necessary to unlock the Asian aquaculture market for novel feeds. 

2. Companies need to adapt innovation to local contexts

Understanding and adapting to local contexts is fundamental to the effective development and adoption of novel ingredients and other ag-tech innovations in the region. A significant proportion of aquaculture production in Asia occurs on small or medium-sized farms, who may be risk-averse and lack access to the capital necessary to adopt advanced technologies. Asian aquaculture faces a number of challenges that may be better solved with scalable and low-tech solutions that alleviate production bottlenecks, like input consistency and disease management, rather than high-tech solutions employed in more advanced, consolidated aquaculture markets in Northern Europe. For example, Teora, a Singapore-based start-up, develops feed‑ready biologics that farmers can use to reduce disease and mortality in shrimp. Feed innovators can consider solutions with a low barrier to use that address core challenges that limit productivity, for success in the region.

Additionally, ag-tech companies can draw on local expertise, which provides a comparative advantage in certain markets. Asian aquaculture has a long history of seaweed production, but the industry needs support realising its innovative potential for other uses. Ultimately, adapting business models and innovation to understand local contexts can help agtech companies, including those producing novel feeds, to strategically target markets where uptake is most likely to succeed.

3. Knowledge sharing can unlock sustainable growth

Knowledge sharing across major aquaculture-producing regions is essential to learn best practices and facilitate technology transfer. For example, there are major efforts on aquaculture farms in Northern Europe to collect large amounts of data for improved decision-making. These data projects can serve as blueprints for determining what data is useful for advancing aquaculture production and decision-making in Asia. In particular, ag-tech companies can build in data-driven feedback loops that help to inform producers on best practices to help scale production more effectively. Further, knowledge sharing can help bridge the divide between where a majority of technological innovation is occurring (e.g. North America, Europe) and the location of aquaculture farming (e.g., Asia). For novel feed companies, knowledge sharing is essential for understanding their key customers and identifying unmet needs in emerging markets. 

4. Companies should consider the advantages and challenges of venture funding

The merits of venture funding are clear, but ultimately, venture capital might not always be the right funding mechanism for capital-intensive or deep-tech innovations. Venture funding puts start-ups on the clock to provide a return on investment. Yet, these timelines may not always align well with the seasonal purchasing patterns and the pace of farm-level adoption in agriculture and aquaculture production. For capital-intensive start-ups with long valuation timelines, securing nondilutive, public, or foundation funding may provide a more suitable option, particularly at the earlier stages. Novel feed companies should pursue financing models that align with their products and the realities of aquaculture to advance growth and adoption at scale, from venture capital and beyond.

As Asia continues to rapidly shape the future of global aquaculture, the path forward will depend on solutions that are not only innovative but also practical, scalable, and grounded in local realities. Across the region, producers, feed manufacturers, and innovators are facing increasing pressure to secure reliable feed inputs amid rising climate variability, concentrated supply chains, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. These systemic vulnerabilities make the case for diversifying feed sources at a local level.

About CFI

At the Centre for Feed Innovation, we are helping bridge the gap between technical innovation and market adoption. Through our research, industry engagement, and advisory work, we are promoting the adoption of sustainable, scalable, and safe feed ingredients to strengthen resilience across Asia’s rapidly growing aquaculture sector. Our work focuses on bringing forward novel feed alternatives that are consistent in scalability, sustainability, and safety. By connecting science, policy, and industry needs, we aim to accelerate the next generation of novel feed ingredients to reach the market and support long-term food security in the region.

If you are interested in exploring opportunities in novel feed ingredients, get in touch with us. We’d be happy to share more insights. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with our latest research, publications, and upcoming events.