Dehulled fababean value chain for feeding fish (West and North of France)

France produces faba bean crops since the early 2000’s, mostly in the west and north of the territory. Historically the main outlet for faba bean export was the Egyptian food market with 200 000 t of grains exported during the 2011/12 campaign. Since then, this market has gradually diminished to practically disappear today because of the excessive proportions of bruchid damages that do not fit the specifications of the food market.

With high protein and energy contents faba bean is an interesting feedstuff for animal nutrition, however the presence of indigestible fibers and tannins restrain its use for monogastric feeds. Dehulling reduces fibers and tannins and increases at the same time the protein content of the grain. Additionally to its technological property of floatability, dehulled faba bean is a quality feedstuff sought for aquaculture. The export market from France to aquaculture in Norway has been increased since 2014 from 25 000 t to approximately 65 000 t for the actual campaign.

The project gives the opportunity to conduct a sector diagnosis through interviews of some stakeholders involved in this dehulled faba beans value chain. They will share their know-how as well as their management of their dehulled faba beans based activities and help identify barriers and levers for the development of the value chain.