An interview with Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine.
Aker BioMarine is a leading human health and nutrition innovator that develops sustainable marine-based health ingredients. By harnessing the natural, nutritional power of krill and algae, the company has a unique position in its industry by helping address global health challenges, such as Omega-3 deficiencies.
Q: Can you tell us more about the current fish oil supply disruption and what this means for the nutraceutical industry?
A: The omega-3 industry is facing a convergence of challenges that extend far beyond routine market fluctuations. Climate-related disruptions, lower marine harvests, increasing global consumption, and growing competition for limited natural resources are all placing unprecedented pressure on traditional fish oil supplies.
For companies that manufacture or sell omega-3 products, these developments affect them much more than ingredient purchasing. They influence production planning, pricing strategies, inventory management, and long-term business continuity. As supply becomes less predictable, organizations are increasingly treating ingredient sourcing as a strategic business issue rather than a procurement function.
Q: What role does environmental change play in today’s supply constraints?
A: One of the biggest variables is the EL Ninio impact of Peru’s anchovy fishery, which remains one of the world’s most important sources of fish oil for human consumption. Lower-than-expected harvests, regulatory measures designed to protect fish populations, and recurring El Niño conditions have significantly reduced the availability of high-quality fish oil.
These aren’t isolated weather events anymore. Climate variability is becoming an operational risk that directly impacts manufacturing schedules, raw material costs, and supply reliability. Businesses are recognizing that environmental conditions can now influence production timelines just as much as market demand.
Q: Is consumer demand the primary reason fish oil supplies are tightening?
A: Not entirely. While demand for dietary supplements continues to grow, the supplement industry is only one of several sectors competing for omega-3 ingredients.
Aquaculture remains one of the largest consumers of fish oil, using EPA and DHA to support the health and growth of farmed seafood. Because these industries often secure long-term supply contracts and can absorb higher raw material costs, supplement manufacturers may face increased pressure when supplies become constrained.
At the same time, demand continues to expand across multiple markets, including healthy aging, preventive wellness, prescription therapies, premium pet nutrition, and rapidly growing consumer markets throughout Asia. Together, these trends are creating sustained pressure on an already limited supply base.
Q: How should nutraceutical companies begin adapting to a more uncertain supply environment?
A: It’s critical that companies start to consider diversifying their omega-3 portfolio and reducing their exposure on a single source.
Krill oil and algae-derived omega-3s are receiving increased attention because they provide additional sourcing flexibility while supporting evolving consumer expectations around sustainability, traceability, and product innovation. Diversification also reduces exposure to disruptions affecting any single raw material, allowing companies to better manage supply volatility and maintain product availability.
Q: What role do technology and sustainability play in this topic?
A: Technology and sustainability are becoming tightly linked in response to the growing pressures in the global fish oil supply chain. What is unfolding in the omega-3 market shows that sustainability is no longer just a long-term ambition, it has become an operational necessity shaped and enabled by technology. At the same time, technology development is increasingly being directed by the need to ensure marine resource stability and long-term ecological balance.
The technologies we’ve developed and implemented at Aker BioMarine, including AI-enabled vessels, drones, and machine learning capabilities, are not simply enhancements, they are fundamental to enabling responsible krill harvesting. These tools provide real-time insights and predictive analytics needed to make more informed decisions at sea. For example, continuous data collection combined with biomass modeling allows fishing activity to be adjusted based on changing krill populations. Rather than relying on fixed approaches, these innovations make sustainability more adaptive, precise, and effective.
There is also a strategic dimension to the intersection of sustainability and technology. At Aker BioMarine, innovation goes beyond advancing products and processes, it also encompasses greater transparency, collaboration, and scientific knowledge-sharing. Through initiatives like the Krill Science Hub, the company brings together researchers, industry stakeholders, and scientific data to strengthen understanding of krill and marine ecosystems. This open, collaborative approach reinforces that innovation is not only about developing new technologies but also about creating smarter, more transparent ways of generating knowledge and making informed decisions.
Today, the connection between sustainability and technology is creating a distinct competitive advantage for Aker BioMarine. As global fish oil markets experience supply disruptions and increasing pressure on raw material availability, our long-term investment in sustainable krill harvesting, advanced processing technologies, and scientific research positions us to respond with a more resilient and differentiated supply chain. By integrating responsible resource management with technological innovation, Aker BioMarine continues to develop high-quality, science-backed ingredients that meet growing demand for sustainable health and nutrition solutions. Sustainability is therefore more than a corporate objective, it is a driver of innovation, operational resilience, and long-term competitive leadership in an increasingly constrained omega-3 market.
Q: What does the future look like for the omega-3 industry?
A: The next phase of the market will likely be defined by resilience as much as innovation. Companies that strengthen supplier networks, diversify ingredient portfolios, and invest in scientific validation will be better positioned to navigate future disruptions.
There is no question that success will depend on the ability to anticipate supply risks before they become shortages. In an environment shaped by climate uncertainty, changing consumer demand, and global resource competition, organizations that build flexibility into their supply chains today will be better equipped to maintain growth, support customers, and remain competitive in the years ahead.
