Revolution in animal feed: olive-fed larvae and insect protein from the future

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 05. 16. 10:34

Insect protein production is becoming increasingly important in sustainable agriculture, but economical production remains a serious challenge. One of the most promising solutions has now been presented by a Spanish startup, InsectBiotech: they have started using oil cake, a by-product of olive oil production, as feed for black soldier fly larvae – and the formula seems to have worked, writes Agrárszektor.

The larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) are now known worldwide as a highly efficient protein-producing organism, which is also suitable for the production of animal food, feed and bio-fertilizer. InsectBiotech was looking for a sustainable, low-cost solution that would solve the energy-intensive feeding of the larvae when they are young.

The answer lay in the olive groves of Andalusia: as one of the largest olive-growing regions in the world, millions of tons of oil cake are produced every year. Until now, it was a by-product – but now it has become a valuable raw material for the insect protein industry. The startup has made this fibrous material digestible for the larvae using a green chemistry process.

From container farm to large-scale production

The technology is currently operating in two pilot plants: one at the University of Granada and the other at an Andalusian oil mill. The goal is to achieve the highest possible feed conversion rate – up to 90 percent by using larval feed based on olive cake. This can achieve operating costs up to seven times lower than competitors.

The quality of the insect oil from larvae raised in this way is also special: due to the olive-based feed, the oleic acid content is higher, which is a more valuable fatty acid profile from a nutritional and physiological point of view.