The consortium led by Vitafort Zrt. is developing the production technology of insect-based protein feed

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According to the plans, the main goal of the project, which will be completed by January 31, 2024, is to produce feed mixtures containing insect-based protein that can be produced economically, and to develop a product line from them. The recipe of each feed product is developed specifically for poultry and pig breeds and their age characteristics – they wrote. Through the research, Hungary can gain a strategically important competitive advantage in the field of animal feed compared to its regional competitors by the fact that research results and the results of large-scale feeding experiments on processed insect protein will be available after the implementation of the project. This raw material has a similar high protein content as soy, so it can be an alternative to replace it, thereby reducing the use of protein of genetically modified origin and/or from outside the European Union, they informed.

During the project, a quality assurance system is developed for the entire technological chain in order to ensure traceability

This will regulate the process from the place of origin of the so-called “substrate” raw materials used to feed the insects, to the insects raised on them, to the animal products made from the animals that consume them as feed, such as meat and eggs, the announcement states. According to public company data, the net sales revenue of Vitafort Első Takarmánygyártó és Forgalmazó Zrt. in 2021 was more than HUF 14 billion 168 million, in 2020 it exceeded HUF 12 billion 521 million. Net sales were largely derived from domestic sales. The company’s taxable profit in 2021 was almost HUF 147 million, and a year earlier it was more than HUF 411 million.

MTI