SINGAPORE – Singapore’s first trout farm, which aims to eventually produce up to 3,000 tonnes of rainbow trout a year, has begun operations.
Located in Neo Tiew Crescent in Lim Chu Kang, the 1.6ha land-based, high-tech facility will initially produce 1,200 tonnes of the fish a year, said Blue Aqua International, the shrimp aquaculture technology company behind the new farm, on June 4.
It aims to ramp up production to 3,000 tonnes per year in 2028, group executive chairman and founder Farshad Shishehchian told The Straits Times. Singapore’s seafood production in 2025 was 3,800 tonnes.
The farm could contribute towards the Republic’s revised goal of producing 30 per cent of its local protein needs – a category that comprises both eggs and seafood – by 2035, said the company.
The latest development shows continued interest by companies in food production in Singapore despite the setbacks plaguing the sector, with several farm closures reported since 2022.
Rainbow trout is a cold-water species that is traditionally farmed in regions like Europe and North America. But instead of relying entirely on imports, the local farm can offer a fresher and more resilient alternative, said Blue Aqua.
Farshad added that rainbow trout is a premium, nutritious fish that is widely accepted among consumers.
“It is rich in protein and Omega-3, and has a clean taste profile,” he said, adding that the trout industry is mature.
To breed the sensitive cold-water species in a tropical climate, the farm has to maintain a stable and highly controlled environment, which includes keeping the water cold and maintaining high dissolved oxygen levels.
To achieve this, the facility uses an advanced recirculating aquaculture system technology, which is a land-based method that continuously filters and reuses water in a controlled environment so that temperature, water quality and biosecurity can be closely managed regardless of the climate outside.
Such systems allow fish to be cultivated in controlled indoor environments and are suitable for farms with limited space and manpower.
“By producing a premium fish species locally and year round, the farm strengthens supply resilience and shortens the chain between production and consumer,” said Blue Aqua.
About $35 million has been invested in the trout farm, said Farshad, adding that the farm is part of Blue Aqua’s investment of $45 million to grow its aquaculture operations here. The Singapore Food Agency also provided support to the company via the Agri-Food Cluster Transformation Fund.
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