Bern Aqua, an ADM group company specializing in hatchery and nursery feeds for fish and shrimp, has earned Best Aquaculture Practices certification for its Olen feed mill, becoming Belgium’s first BAP-certified producer.
The certification marks growing industry demand for greater traceability, responsible sourcing and third-party verified feed production across the global aquaculture value chain. The announcement reflects ADM’s continued investment in aquaculture, where Bern Aqua provides early life-stage nutrition solutions that support more sustainable seafood production.
Bern Aqua supplies feed for hatcheries and nursery farms in more than 50 countries, applying the latest advances in nutritional sciences into their manufacturing processes and products. With almost 25 years of experience in the aquaculture industry, the company has developed expertise in advanced nutrition and environmental solutions for the first stages of life for fish and shrimp.
The company uses cold extrusion that preserves the nutritional value of ingredients, to deliver hatchery and nursery feeds that support animal performance.
“We are incredibly proud of this certification, which marks an important step forward in our mission to deliver superior nutrition solutions for the early stages of fish and shrimp life,” said Plant Manager Sam Valgaeren. “This achievement, as with our organic certification and other accreditations, demonstrates how Bern Aqua is well-positioned to continue driving progress in the field of early life nutrition.”
Sébastien Metz, from the Market Development Team at the Global Seafood Alliance, praised the achievement.
“We congratulate ADM’s Bern Aqua facility for becoming the first BAP-certified producer in Belgium, an important milestone for responsible aquaculture in the region,” Metz said. “Feed plays a critical role in the aquaculture supply chain, and this achievement reflects their leadership in creating a more responsible future for global seafood production.”
Best Aquaculture Practices is the only third-party aquaculture certification program that encompasses the entire production chain, including the processing plant, farm, hatchery and feed mill. BAP certification provides assurances to buyers that 100% of the aquafeed production from a recognized feed mill meets the standard for responsible aquaculture.
