First Local Rainbow Trout Farm in Trial Operation: Market Supply Possible by Year-End

Singapore's first rainbow trout farm has begun trial operations, with locally farmed rainbow trout expected to reach dining tables as early as year-end.

Local aquaculture operator Blue Aqua held a launch ceremony on Thursday (June 4) at its rainbow trout farm at Lin Chu Kang Liang Zhou Harvest Lane, announcing a phased capacity expansion. Initial annual production is estimated at 1,200 metric tons, with potential to increase to 3,000 metric tons.

The 1.6-hectare land-based farm cost approximately S$45 million. As rainbow trout are coldwater fish with strict requirements for water temperature, quality, and growing environment, the company uses an advanced Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). Through fully enclosed environmental control technology, it precisely adjusts temperature, water quality, and biosecurity conditions in Singapore's tropical climate.

According to reporters' observations on the day, the farm's infrastructure is largely complete, but the rearing tanks have not yet been filled with water. Blue Aqua founder Farshad Shishehchian revealed that the company has prepared fish eggs, which will take about 8 to 10 months to grow into adult fish weighing around 500 grams.

Farshad said the company hopes to start producing rainbow trout by year-end to test market reception; the first batch of local rainbow trout is expected to weigh between 350 and 400 grams.

As for initial production volume, Farshad admitted it is still difficult to predict accurately. "We need to do a lot of testing and optimization. The results could far exceed expectations or fall short; essentially, it is a process of continuous calibration and improvement."

Founded in 2009, Blue Aqua also operates a shrimp farm in the same area, with an annual output of about 120 metric tons. Farshad noted that rainbow trout and shrimp are different species with different farming challenges and advantages. Although the initial capital investment for rainbow trout farming is higher, the system is highly automated and integrated with AI management technology, making overall operations easier to manage precisely.

Regarding the future gradual increase in annual output of the rainbow trout farm, Farshad emphasized that this is not an ordinary automated farm but a fully controlled farming system. "Our data is very precise because all planning is calculated and designed based on actual production capacity."

According to data published by the Singapore Food Agency in May, local farms produced 3,800 metric tons of seafood last year, an 8.6% increase from 3,500 metric tons the previous year, but accounting for only about 2.7% of national seafood supply; seafood imports increased from 124,600 metric tons to 138,000 metric tons, highlighting the country's heavy dependence on imports.

Number of Local Farms Declines for Five Consecutive Years

Overall, the operating environment for local farms remains challenging, with the number of farms declining for five consecutive years. Official data shows that the number of sea-based farms has shrunk since 2022, from 109 to 67 last year; land-based farms have remained relatively stable, with 34 as of 2024.

Blue Ocean Aquaculture Technology, which also operates a land-based indoor farm, Managing Director Wong Yee Sang previously told the media that indoor farm operating costs are inherently high, and if long-term break-even cannot be achieved, they will eventually fail in the market.

Farshad admitted that the company has experienced many failures and lessons, so it will learn from them and avoid repeating mistakes. "We don't want another failure case," he said. The company has conducted detailed cost-benefit analysis and is confident that the price of local rainbow trout can be below imported ones, enhancing market competitiveness.