Fish Meal vs Soybean Meal: Which Protein Is Best for Your Animal Feed?

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On Oktober 5, 2026

Quick answer: Fish meal has higher protein (55–65%) and a better amino acid profile, making it ideal for fish, shrimp and young animals, but it costs more. Soybean meal (44–48% protein) is cheaper and widely available, and is the main protein for poultry, pigs and cattle. Most feed formulas use soybean meal as the base and add fish meal where performance matters most.

Updated October 2026 · NDRG Kokal Enterprise, Sarawak, Malaysia

Key facts

Fish meal protein	55–65%
Soybean meal protein	44–48%
Better amino acid balance	Fish meal
Lower cost per tonne	Soybean meal
Best for fish and shrimp	Fish meal
Best base for poultry and pigs	Soybean meal

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	Fish meal	Soybean meal
Crude protein	55–65%	44–48%
Amino acids	Rich in lysine and methionine	Good lysine, lower methionine
Digestibility	Very high	High (after heat treatment)
Omega-3 fats	Yes	No
Anti-nutritional factors	None	Low if properly toasted
Cost	Higher	Lower
Main uses	Fish, shrimp, piglets, broiler starter	Poultry, pigs, dairy and beef cattle

When to use fish meal

Fish and shrimp feed, where animals need highly digestible marine protein.
Piglet and broiler starter feeds, where early growth matters most.
When you want to boost palatability and omega-3 content.

When to use soybean meal

As the main protein in poultry, layer, pig and cattle diets.
When cost control is a priority.
Combined with DL-methionine to make up for its lower methionine.

Combining fish meal and soybean meal

Most nutritionists use soybean meal as the base protein and add a smaller share of fish meal, plus synthetic amino acids such as L-lysine and DL-methionine, to hit amino acid targets at the lowest cost.

As organic fertilizers

Both also work as slow-release organic fertilizers. Fish meal adds more nitrogen and phosphorus; soybean meal adds nitrogen and improves soil organic matter.

Frequently asked questions

Is fish meal better than soybean meal?

Fish meal has more protein and a better amino acid balance, but soybean meal is cheaper. The best choice depends on the animal, the growth stage and your budget.

Can soybean meal replace fish meal?

Partly. In many diets soybean meal plus synthetic amino acids can replace much of the fish meal, but fish and shrimp usually still need some.

Which is cheaper, fish meal or soybean meal?

Soybean meal is usually much cheaper per tonne and per unit of protein.

Which protein is best for poultry?

Soybean meal is the standard base protein for poultry, often supplemented with DL-methionine and a small amount of fish meal in starter feeds.

Related guides

Buy in bulk: request a wholesale quote from NDRG Kokal Enterprise, Siburan, Sarawak. Call or WhatsApp +60 13-739 1922 or email info@ndrgkokalenterprise.com.

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