Minnesota-based Cargill opened its first feed plant in the city of Vijayawada, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, dedicated to fish species in India, enabling fish farmers across the country access to high-quality feed this year. The company has invested more than $10 million in the plant.
“India presents great opportunities for Cargill and plays an important part in our aqua nutrition growth strategy in Asia”, said Einar Wathne, president of Cargill Aqua Nutrition. “The plant leverages Cargill’s industrial and supply chain capabilities, as well as our innovation expertise to provide customers with the best possible feed solutions, helping them grow healthy seafood and increase their output,” he added.
The plant produces fish feed products for carp, tilapia, and other warm water species. Cargill currently sells about 30,000 tons of fish feed a year; the new plant, with a capacity of 90,000 tons annually, enables it to increase its fish feed threefold.
“India is an important and fast growing aquaculture market, and we are excited to better serve farmers across Andhra Pradesh, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha,” said Chad Gauger, managing director of Cargill aqua nutrition in South Asia. “The new facility positions us to better meet their demand, as the country will soon become the most populous in the world.”
