The European Union produces over 1.2 million tonnes of aquaculture products annually, yet remains heavily dependent on imported ingredients for feed production, particularly fishmeal. In 2020 alone, the EU imported more than 300,000 tonnes of fishmeal from non-EU countries. This dependence is not only economic but also environmental: global supply chains have a high carbon footprint and place increasing pressure on marine ecosystems.
In response to this challenge, the model we are developing at Protiberia offers an innovative, scalable and transformative solution.
Protiberia currently operates the only Tenebrio molitor egg incubation facility in Europe. In addition, we have our own larva processing plant and work in a network with grow-out farms. Our model is designed to directly contribute to European protein sovereignty and accelerate the transition to more sustainable aquaculture.
Our approach is based on an efficient, decentralized production chain:
- We produce and sell Tenebrio molitor eggs to specialized farms.
- We convert disused livestock facilities, creating new economic opportunities in rural areas.
- We purchase the fattened larvae from our partner farms under stable, controlled and traceable contracts.
- We process the larvae in our facility to obtain high-quality insect protein powder and functional lipids.
- We deliver consistent, safe and competitive ingredients to the European agri-food industry.
Tenebrio molitor protein offers exceptional nutritional and environmental advantages:
60–70% crude protein, highly digestible (>85%), rich in lysine and methionine.
- Healthy lipids and functional micronutrients for aquatic species development.
- Production with a carbon footprint 10 to 20 times lower than fishmeal.
- Feed based on plant by-products: a truly circular economy.
In addition to reducing emissions, this protein helps ease pressure on the oceans and build a resilient, local and traceable production system.
Why promote a new insect-based agri-industrial chain in Europe?
- Because it reduces dependence on imports and strengthens food security.
- Because it improves the environmental profile of European aquaculture.
- Because it revitalizes rural areas through innovation, employment and transformation.
- Because it provides technical solutions to a market that demands efficiency, quality and sustainability.
At Protiberia, we believe that the European aquaculture sector and Tenebrio can not only coexist: they can become strategic allies in transforming the continent’s agri-food-system
