Newly founded Catalan Association of the Insect Industry aims to give voice to emerging sector

A new association aims to give visibility and voice to companies working in the emerging insect sector across Catalonia. 

Indicat – the Catalan Association of the Insect Industry – is headquartered in Vic, and will seek to act a single interlocutor to defend their interests before the administration.

Energy bars, cookies, and honey are some examples of products on the market that are made from insects, sold both locally and abroad.

The organization is comprised of seven young companies from across Catalonia that are dedicated to breeding animals such as crickets or soldier flies, which they then use to manufacture products for human and animal food and fertilizers.

Salvador Montagut, president of the new entity, describes Catalonia as a great agro-industrial power, and he sees an opportunity to break through "in a sector with great potential."

One of the companies that forms part of Indicat is Grillco, which breeds 20 million crickets for human consumption. In their case, they make protein powder from the crickets which is then incorporated into different products.

Its CEO, Bernat Monter, says the powder "has no flavor" and can be easily incorporated into other products that later enter the food market.

Most of their market is abroad, in Asia or Latin America as selling it here is "difficult," but their idea is to "break barriers."

The Indicat president highlights the large amount of protein insects can offer. "It gives any food a very important addition of protein, but also essential vitamins for the body," he pointed out.

Some farmers are "shocked" to learn that the animal feed manufactured by Insectius is made of insects, according to its CEO, Raül Reyes. He encourages them to "try it" and says that many then end up convinced.

The president of the association wants to use the platform to represent the sector and influence regulations that affect their activity, which they feel requires interpretation and dialogue. 

Indicat also plans to promote quality standards, support companies in the sector, promote networking, and explore public funding opportunities.