Understanding FCR and Feed Efficiency

Aquaculture is practiced in many ways around the world - from highly intensive, technologically advanced systems to small and medium-scale farms operating under varying environmental, economic, and management conditions. While production realities differ from region to region, one principle remains universal: improving feed efficiency is key to building profitable, resilient, and sustainable farming businesses.

To support farmers, especially in less structured systems, we have developed a practical one-pager focused on Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), feed efficiency, and the real economics behind feed quality.

The one-pager, especially designed to address common production challenges in African aquaculture systems, where farm structures, access to high-quality feeds, and management practices can vary widely, can also be relevant to farmers everywhere.

Understanding how feed performance impacts growth, operational costs, and profitability helps farmers make better-informed decisions. The one-pager simplifies complex technical concepts into practical, easy-to-understand guidance.

This resource highlights how small improvements in feed management and quality can drive meaningful gains in productivity, reduce hidden losses, and strengthen overall farm performance. It also emphasizes that while feeds are a major cost component, efficiency, not price, ultimately determines profitability.

We invite you to explore the one-pager here: