First Local Rainbow Trout Farm Trial Operation: Market Supply Possible by Year-End
Singapore's first rainbow trout farm has started trial operation, and it is expected that locally farmed rainbow trout could be on the table as early as the end of this year.
Local aquaculture player Blue Aqua held a launch ceremony at its rainbow trout farm at Liang Chu Harvest Lane, Lim Chu Kang, on Thursday (June 4), announcing a phased expansion of capacity. The farm's initial annual production is expected to reach 1,200 metric tons, with potential to increase to 3,000 metric tons in the future.
This 1.6-hectare land-based farm cost about S$45 million. As rainbow trout are cold-water fish requiring strict conditions for water temperature, quality, and growth environment, the operator uses an advanced Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), employing fully enclosed environment control technology to precisely regulate temperature, water quality, and biosecurity conditions in Singapore's tropical climate.
According to the reporter's observation that day, the farm's infrastructure was largely completed, but the fish ponds had not yet been filled with water. Blue Aqua founder Farshad Shishehchian revealed that the company has prepared fish eggs, which need only about 8 to 10 months to cultivate into adult fish weighing around 500 grams.
He said the company hopes to start producing rainbow trout by the end of this year to test market response; the first batch of domestic rainbow trout is expected to weigh between 350 grams and 400 grams.
As for the initial output, Farshad admitted it is still difficult to predict accurately. "We need a lot of calibration and optimization. Results could far exceed expectations or fall short; essentially it's a process of constant calibration and improvement."
Founded in 2009, Blue Aqua currently operates a shrimp farm in the same area with an annual output of about 120 metric tons. Farshad noted that rainbow trout and shrimp are different species, each with different farming challenges and advantages. Although initial capital investment for rainbow trout farming is higher, due to high automation and AI management technology, overall operations are easier to manage precisely.
Regarding the gradual increase in the farm's annual output in the future, Farshad emphasized this is not an ordinary automated farm but a fully controlled farming system. "Our data is very precise because all planning is calculated and designed based on actual production capacity."
According to data published in May this year, local farms produced 3,800 metric tons of seafood last year, an increase of 8.6% from 3,500 metric tons the previous year, but only accounting for about 2.7% of the national seafood supply. Seafood imports rose from 124,600 metric tons to 138,000 metric tons, highlighting the high reliance on imported food.
Number of Local Farms Declines for Five Consecutive Years
Overall, the operating environment for local farms remains difficult, with the number of farms declining for five consecutive years. Official data shows that the number of offshore fish farms has shrunk continuously since 2022, from 109 to 67 last year; land-based farms have been relatively stable, with 34 as of 2024.
Blue Ocean Aquaculture Technology also operates a land-based indoor fish farm. Managing Director Huang Yisheng previously told the media that indoor farm operating costs are inherently high, and if long-term break-even cannot be achieved, they will eventually be eliminated by the market.
Farshad admitted that the company has experienced many failures and lessons, so it will learn from experience to avoid repeating mistakes. "We don't want another failure case." He said the company has calculated cost-effectiveness in detail and is confident that the price of local rainbow trout will be lower than imported rainbow trout, enhancing market competitiveness.
