1/11/2024
Lorica is Skretting's most successful health product in recent years. Christian Delannoy, Global Product Manager Health, reveals the secret behind it.
The secret to making a bestselling shrimp health feed
Lorica is a proactive functional feed for shrimp that was launched in 2016. How was it created?
Christian Delannoy: Skretting pioneered health research back in 1989 and launched the first functional diet for salmon back in 1992, so we were able to leverage on decades of expertise in health feeds for aquaculture! We started by identifying a market demand for a well-documented and high performance functional diet for shrimp, before embarking on an R&D process. First, we conducted in vitro laboratory screening of ingredients, then in vivo testing of selected key ingredients as well as evaluation of their synergetic action. Finally, the optimal combination and ratio of ingredients were identified, a feeding regime was evaluated, and the product was validated – initially in shrimp challenge trials within controlled conditions, and thereafter in field trials in Ecuador and Vietnam. Since Lorica’s launch in 2016, its consistent growth in sales volume has meant that it has become Skretting’s bestselling health product since 2020.
What was so unique about Lorica when it was first launched?
Lorica was not the first functional diet for shrimp to be launched in the market, but certainly the first dietary solution to have undergone such thorough testing. The extensive documentation and the collaboration studies with renowned academic entities including the University of Arizona and ShrimpVet Laboratory in Vietnam also helped generate curiosity amongst customers.
Does Lorica really do what it says it will do?
Lorica helps to strengthen natural defences of the shrimp, supports the immune system, and optimizes the balance between shrimp, microbes and environment. We have seen an overall improvement in farming performance with regards to survival and growth, and we’re able to say with confidence that Lorica performs in the field.
What examples of positive feedback have you gotten from customers?
We have many longstanding customers who have been happy with Lorica. For instance, Champmar has been buying feed from us since 1989, and using Lorica for the last 7 years since it launched. Their loyalty means that there is a good level of satisfaction with the quality of the product and the associated services we provide.
In 2022, Lorica accounted for 43% sales volume within the health product portfolio of Skretting Group. What is the secret to this success?
This can be attributed to several factors. The R&D team under Charles McGurk’s supervision has developed an outstanding and well documented product which laid the foundation for a successful product launch. In Ecuador for example, the local team did a great job with marketing and raising awareness amongst customers. They also established a dedicated health team who work systematically to recommend the diet.
Are there plans in the pipeline for a new Lorica?
Our marketing and R&D activities have not stopped since we first launched, and a new Lorica generation is in the pipeline, using totally novel but also proprietary ingredients from our partnership with Nutreco Exploration.
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1/11/2024
The secret to making a bestselling shrimp health feed
Lorica is Skretting's most successful health product in recent years. Christian Delannoy, Global Product Manager Health, reveals the secret behind it.
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