Thai Union achieved Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Feed Standard certification for its Mahachai Plant in Thailand.
Thai Union joins the elite leading group of ASC certified feed companies. The single-site certification for their Mahachai Plant, located in Thailand’s Samut Sakhon province just west of Bangkok, is the first ASC Feed Standard certification in Asia. The feed mill produces feed for seabass, seabream, meagre, tilapia and shrimp.
Thai Union undertook a rigorous audit process over several months. The conclusion of the audit established that their processes and performances meet the ASC Feed Standard’s robust environmental and social requirements. Control Union was the independent certifier.
Chris Ninnes, ASC CEO, said, “We are delighted that Thai Union has joined our Feed Programme. Their certification – the first feed mill certified in Asia – is another landmark moment of progress for ASC’s Feed Standard as it represents the growing global spread of more environmentally and socially responsible feed production. It is also the first certified mill that produces feed for shrimp. With Asia being a particular global hotspot for shrimp farming, ensuring ASC-compliant feed is accessible in the region is a significant step forward in promoting and enabling more responsible shrimp farming practices.”
Peerasak Boonmechote, CEO of Thai Union Feedmill, added that “securing the first ASC Feed certificate in Asia underscores our deep commitment to sustainability at the heart of our operations. This is a key step in increasing the availability of responsible feed as part of Thai Union Group’s commitments under its global sustainability strategy, SeaChange® 2030. This certification also reinforces our dedication to leading the industry towards a more sustainable and responsible future.”
ASC certified farms have until October 2025 to switch to sourcing compliant feed produced under the ASC Feed Standard.
Thai Union will benefit from ASC’s recently announced incentive: feed mills that get certified in 2024 will not have to pay license fees on the volume of compliant feed they produce this calendar year. “Other feed mills that haven’t already started the certification process should prioritize obtaining ASC Feed Standard certification as soon as possible,” ASC said.
Previous certifications – for Vimifos and Skretting – were achieved for sites in Latin America (Mexico and Chile) earlier this year.
