Insect-based protein feed: from fork to farm

Abstract

Numerous studies show that insects are efficient in converting organic waste into proteins and fats, which makes them an interesting alternative source of feed. Moreover, since around one-third of global food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, the production of insect-based meals from food waste is considered a sustainable alternative to other protein sources. This paper introduces a quantitative framework able to analyse the economic implications of developing a large-scale insect-based meal industry worldwide, which would require important regulatory changes. Our calculations, based on findings from the literature, suggest that almost 1.4 billion tonnes of food, that could potentially be used as insect feed, went to waste at the world level in 2018, a figure that is projected to rise to 2 billion tonnes by 2030. Results show that the use of food waste for insect meal and oil production would have important downward price impacts on meals and oils (fish- and plant-based), reducing feed costs and stimulating global aquaculture and livestock production, reducing total land use for agriculture production and lead to a lower dependence on protein imports.