Skretting’s Strategic Vision for 2026: CEO Bijl Discusses Challenges and Opportunities
Skretting, the aquaculture feed leader owned by Nutreco, welcomed a new CEO in 2025. Taking over from Bastiaan van Tilburg, who transitioned to Nutreco’s CEO role, Bijl’s appointment marks a fresh chapter for the company amidst various industry challenges.
Having served 4.5 years at Nutreco, most recently leading Livestock Feed in North America and as Chief Digital Officer, Bijl’s decision to step into this leadership role was swiftly made. “It took me about 30 seconds to think it through and accept,” he shared in an interview with IntraFish.
Strategic Collaborations and Product Innovations
In December 2025, Skretting announced a strategic feed partnership with salmon farming giant Mowi after a comprehensive review of Mowi’s feed division. This collaboration allows Mowi to incorporate Skretting’s innovative feed formulations while optimizing their procurement and logistics strategies.
In response to ongoing market demands, Skretting launched four major new feed concepts in just 18 months and intensified its operations in China, aiming to secure the position of the leading hatchery feed supplier.
Reflecting on 2025: Key Challenges and Achievements
During 2025, Skretting faced several pressing challenges, including animal health, raw material volatility, and supply chain disruptions attributed to tariff uncertainties. While global operations experienced minimal impacts, specific regions, notably India, faced hurdles that necessitated a diversified approach across geographies and species.
Ingredient availability, particularly marine ingredients, posed significant challenges. The company also dealt with outbreaks affecting clients in regions like Ecuador and Canada, alongside adverse weather conditions impacting Mediterranean farmers.
Despite these obstacles, Skretting achieved remarkable milestones, notably the launch of “Necto,” a new functional diet featuring innovative phytocomplexes. Additionally, the company made strides in digitalization efforts, with precision feeding technology now operational in ponds across multiple countries. An ESG transparency award underscored Skretting’s commitment to sustainability.
Looking Ahead: Expectations for 2026
As the industry navigates ongoing supply chain volatility and sustainability demands, Bijl anticipates that many challenges from 2025 will persist into 2026. The rapid pace of digitalization and the pressing customer demand for transparency will require continuous effort to maintain competitiveness.
“We are focusing on upskilling our 12,000 employees at Nutreco to help them adapt to a fast-evolving environment,” Bijl stated, emphasizing the synergy between sustainability efforts and technological advancements.
Bijl’s vision for Skretting includes fostering collaborations to face challenges such as disease outbreaks and sustainability hurdles more effectively. The partnership with Mowi epitomizes a shift away from traditional models toward cooperative, technology-driven solutions.
Strategic Directions for the Future
In the coming year, Skretting plans to prioritize the right combinations of species and geographies while pushing for industry-wide co-innovation and positive impacts. Bijl’s extensive travels to markets across the globe have informed the company’s approach to feed innovation, sustainable practices, and transparency.
With the likelihood of ongoing challenges related to marine ingredient sourcing and environmental conditions such as El Niño, Skretting remains committed to exploring alternative ingredients and adapting operations accordingly.
Ultimately, Skretting’s optimism for 2026 is underpinned by a continuing focus on innovation and investment to sustain growth and adapt to an evolving industry landscape.
