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In a context in which aquaculture is increasingly expected to contribute to European food security, while at the same time reducing its environmental footprint and responding to growing market demands for transparency, feed plays a strategic role that is often underestimated. It is precisely at this stage of the value chain that some of the most critical decisions are made, influencing sustainability, production efficiency, animal welfare and the overall credibility of the sector.
Skretting, part of the Nutreco group, is among the industrial players exerting the strongest influence on these dynamics at a global level. In Italy, where aquaculture operates within a complex and highly regulated framework, Skretting’s strategy unfolds across multiple dimensions, ranging from nutritional innovation to value-chain certification, from farm digitalisation to relationships with local territories and communities.
We discussed these issues with Giovanni Serrini, General Manager of Skretting Italy, to explore strategic priorities, industrial choices and long-term vision. The interview that follows provides a detailed insight into how these elements translate into concrete actions, outlining Skretting’s contribution to the development of an aquaculture sector that is increasingly sustainable, resilient and future-oriented.
What are Skretting Italy’s current strategic priorities, and how do they align with Nutreco’s global vision for the future of aquaculture?
In line with Nutreco’s purpose, “Feeding the Future”, Skretting Italy’s strategic priority is to help meet the continuously growing demand for seafood in a sustainable way. This is why we are constantly seeking innovations that improve the efficiency and nutritional value of our products, enhance both our productivity and that of our customers, while at the same time reducing the environmental impacts across our value chain.
The ASC Feed certification has positioned you among the international pioneers. To what extent does this recognition strengthen the competitiveness of the value chain, and what new responsibilities does it introduce towards markets and retail?
We were the first Italian feed mill to obtain this certification, which clearly demonstrates how central sustainability is to our strategic choices. The new ASC Feed Standard extends beyond the farm level to include an assessment of feed mills and their suppliers, promoting transparency and accountability throughout the entire supply chain. Transparency, in particular, generates benefits for ecosystems, workers, communities and consumers, while also activating a continuous improvement process. By sharing data and best practices, we can build a more resilient and responsible aquaculture value chain, capable of exerting a positive and lasting impact on aquatic production, people and the planet.
Transparency was also the foundation of the workshop series “Stop Lactococcosis? Together it can be done!”, which we organised in collaboration with the Italian National Reference Centre for Fish, Mollusc and Crustacean Diseases in Legnaro and with the Italian Fish Farmers Association, in response to the health emergency that affected Mediterranean mariculture.
From more sustainable packaging to alternative ingredients such as algae oil, how do you balance innovation, environmental sustainability and economic viability for farmers?
Sustainability cannot be separated from innovation, and economic balance is the foundation on which sustainable innovation must be built. If we think in terms of a circular economy, it becomes clear that reducing resource use inevitably translates into greater efficiency and therefore lower production costs. One clear example is packaging innovation, which led us to win the CONAI 2025 call for eco-design of packaging within the circular economy. Further examples can be found in our 2024 Impact Report.
Tools such as AquaSim, Skaila Datahub and MyFeedPrint are driving digitalisation in farm management. What concrete changes are they delivering, and what role can Italy play in this transformation?
Big data and digitalisation are among the megatrends that will increasingly shape the aquaculture value chain. Precision farming, supported by advanced technologies, is one of the pillars of the Skretting 360+ service we offer to our customers, helping them improve both technical and economic efficiency.
Through this service, we provide technologies such as cameras to monitor biomass and feeding behaviour, integrated with sensors that control environmental parameters. Together with our partners, we are also developing algorithms to assess animal welfare conditions. We are seeing growing interest from farmers across the markets in which we operate, confirming the ongoing evolution of the sector.
Skretting Italy is also a key actor for local communities and territories. How do social responsibility and local engagement fit into your long-term strategy?
Skretting Italy has been based in Mozzecane, about 30 kilometres from Verona, since 1972. Over the years, we have developed a strong bond with the local area, expressed through internal initiatives such as coastal clean-ups, which we transformed into clean-up activities for the area surrounding our facilities and nearby roads. We sponsor the “Corsa in Rosa”, an annual run that raises awareness around issues affecting women, and we have also quite literally rolled up our sleeves by repainting and refurbishing “Casa Nazareth”, a local organisation that supports young people with disabilities, helping them integrate into society with both rights and responsibilities.
Social responsibility and local engagement are therefore integral parts of our long-term strategy, fully aligned with Nutreco’s values.
Looking ahead to 2030, what are the decisive challenges and most relevant opportunities for Skretting Italy in consolidating aquaculture as a strategic lever for European food security?
We return to where the interview began: sustainable innovation that ensures healthy and safe seafood for everyone.
For more insights on the future of Italian fisheries and the blue economy, follow ongoing coverage and analysis on Pesceinrete.
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