Soya Meal is a plant-based marvel, packed with protein and amino acids that make it a favourite in aquaculture nutrition. Here’s why this sustainable superfood earns a spot in our fish food formulas:

• Protein-Rich Goodness: With an impressive 44-48% protein content, soya meal is a top-notch energy source. It boasts all nine essential amino acids, fueling growth and vitality in both freshwater and marine fish species.
• Digestive Support: Thanks to its moderate fibre content, soya meal promotes healthy digestion, keeping your fish feeling their best.
• Low in Fats, High in Benefits: Most of the oil is removed during processing, making soya meal naturally low in saturated fats—perfect for a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.

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Soya Meal is more than just a great ingredient—it’s a smart, sustainable choice. As a byproduct of soyabean oil production, it transforms what could be waste into a high-quality protein source for animals and fish. By repurposing these soya solids, we help reduce waste and maximise the utility of every bean.

But sustainability doesn’t stop there. Using soya meal as a secondary product supports a circular agricultural economy. Instead of contributing to large-scale soyabean farming’s potential downsides, like deforestation and habitat loss, we champion its responsible, eco-friendly use. That’s a win for fish, farmers, and the planet!

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In a nutshell, we don’t! The majority of the processing happens during the production of soy meal itself. The soybean is crushed to extract the oil, defatted using heat treatment, and ground into granules for use in animal feed.

We leave our soy meal in this natural form when incorporating it into our fish food. This texture not only preserves the ingredient's nutritional integrity but also stimulates your fish’s natural feeding habits, encouraging more active and instinctive behavior. It’s our way of bringing out the best in your wet pets while keeping things simple and effective!

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High efficiency as a protein source:

Soybeans are one of the most efficient crops in terms of protein yield per hectare, requiring significantly less land compared to animal feed crops. Soya meal helps to reduce dependency on wild-caught fish meal, protecting wild fish populations and marine ecosystems.

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Carbon Footprint:

Soya production has a drastically lower Carbon footprint than many animal-based protein sources. Processing Soya beans into Soya meal adds minimal emissions compared to producing animal-derived proteins.

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Land Use and Deforestation:

Unsustainable Soya farming has been linked to deforestation - especially in regions such as the Amazon. To combat this, many producers adopt certifications like the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) or the ProTerra Foundation, which ensure that Soya is grown on existing farmlands without causing deforestation. Niskai Aquatics takes great care to ensure our Soyameal supplies come from certified sources.

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Soyameal as a byproduct vs Soyameal produced directly for Animal feed:

We take great care to ensure that our soy meal is sourced as a byproduct of soybean oil production, avoiding the wastefulness of direct production for animal feed

Ancient Origins: Soybeans have been cultivated for over 5,000 years, originating in East Asia. They were considered one of the “Five Sacred Grains” in ancient Chinese agriculture.

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Nutritional Powerhouse: Soybeans are one of the few plant-based foods that are considered a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids needed for human and animal diets.

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Eco-Friendly Fixers: Soybean plants have a unique relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which helps enrich the soil and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers

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Soybeans and Fish Food: Soy protein concentrate, a derivative of soybeans, is increasingly being used as a sustainable alternative to fishmeal in aquaculture, reducing overfishing while still meeting dietary needs.

Soya meal is an excellent ingredient for herbivorous and omnivorous fish, like tetras, guppies, cichlids, and catfish. However, it should be used in combination with other protein sources for carnivorous fish to ensure they receive enough animal-based proteins.

In some cases, fish may show sensitivities to high levels of soya meal if it’s not properly processed. That’s why we use heat-treated soya meal and include it as part of a balanced formula to ensure optimal fish health.