Unibio secures Saudi Food and Drug Authority approval for Uniprotein in aquaculture feed Applications

Unibio has received regulatory approval from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) for Uniprotein, its single-cell protein ingredient, for use in aquaculture feed applications in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Following a comprehensive review process that began in April 2023, the SFDA has confirmed the safety of Uniprotein for use in feed for fish, shrimp, and crustaceans. With this approval, Uniprotein is now cleared for sale to the Saudi feed industry and can be tested under commercial conditions, reinforcing the significant benefits of microbial single-cell protein. This approval represents a significant step for Unibio as it expands into the Middle East and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of increasing domestic food production and reducing reliance on imports.

Uniprotein, produced through Unibio’s proprietary U-Loop fermentation technology, offers a sustainable and scalable alternative protein source for animal feed. With its ability to be produced independently of traditional agriculture, Uniprotein presents an opportunity to enhance local aquaculture production while reducing environmental pressures associated with conventional feedstocks such as fishmeal and soy.

The Saudi government has outlined ambitious targets to scale up its aquaculture sector, which is expected to play a key role in the country’s food security strategy under Vision 2030. By fostering sustainable aquaculture practices and localizing feed production, the Kingdom aims to bolster its seafood supply while reducing its reliance on imported raw materials.

Olivier Hartz, CCO at Unibio, highlighted the strategic importance of this milestone, stating: “We are pleased to announce that Uniprotein has been approved for aquaculture applications in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (‘KSA’). This is a significant step into KSA, a key region that is working towards feed and food self-sufficiency under the Vision 2030 programme, while increasing local fish production.”

David Henstrom, CEO of Unibio, emphasized the broader potential of this approval, adding: “Approval from the SFDA is a significant milestone for our growth journey. With our partners, we see tremendous opportunities ahead. Saudi Arabia's abundant local resources, including natural gas, make it the perfect hub for producing sustainable protein at scale to meet both regional and global needs. We envisage that KSA will become an important cornerstone of production and distribution in the years ahead.”

Saudi Arabia has now joined a growing list of countries where Uniprotein has already been approved for use in animal feed. The list includes territories such as the European Union, Japan, India, Thailand, Russia, and Chile. The expanding list of approvals highlights confidence in Uniprotein as a safe protein source in regulated feed markets.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan places strong emphasis on economic diversification, food security, and sustainable agricultural innovation. As part of this broader strategy, the country has been actively investing in next-generation food technologies that can enhance domestic production while reducing water and land use. Unibio’s Uniprotein fits well within this framework, offering a high-quality protein that can be produced with minimal environmental impact and without competing for agricultural land or water resources.

The expansion of Unibio into Saudi Arabia aligns with global trends in alternative protein adoption for animal feed. With increasing pressure on global fishmeal supplies and the environmental concerns surrounding soy-based feed, the industry is seeking efficient, sustainable solutions that can meet the growing demand for seafood and livestock production. Microbial protein like Uniprotein has emerged as a viable alternative due to its high nutritional value, resource efficiency, and ability to scale production without agricultural constraints.

This approval also strengthens Unibio’s partnerships in the region, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a potential production hub for sustainable protein. Leveraging the country’s natural gas infrastructure for fermentation-based protein production could create new opportunities for local manufacturing, job creation, and export potential to other markets in the Middle East and beyond.

With the SFDA approval in place, Unibio will now work with partners to introduce Uniprotein into the Saudi aquaculture industry. The company aims to demonstrate its benefits in fish farming operations, helping to improve feed efficiency, nutritional outcomes, and sustainability metrics for local producers.