BSFCON 2025: The Sector Learns Faster, Together

This year’s BSFCON 2025 in Cambridge brought together researchers, operators, policymakers, and investors — all united by one insect: the Black Soldier Fly.

At SoldierFlyHub, we followed the conversations closely, capturing insights directly from attendees. Across business, science, policy, and global expansion, the message was clear: the sector is maturing, collaboration is growing, and the potential of BSF is only just beginning.

🏢 Business & Operations: Profitability and Collaboration First

The industry is facing hard truths about profitability.

• Larry Kotch reminded us that buyers benchmark against commodity pricing, not premiums.
• Dora Luetic reinforced that secrecy slows progress — collaboration builds resilience.
• Stefan Diener warned that restrictive EU regulations and low fishmeal/soymeal prices continue to hold profitability back.
• Sofia Katzin cautioned that BSF isn’t SaaS — scaling requires discipline, not hype.
• BioMar’s Katherine Bryar highlighted insect meal’s functional benefits — lauric acid, antimicrobial peptides, and more.
• Roko Bošnjak noticed a cultural shift: “People are sharing not just wins but failures too. That feels like progress.”

👉 Takeaway: The winners will be those who share knowledge, cut costs, and position insect meal as more than just protein.

🔬 Science & Academia: Insects as Bioreactors

Science is reshaping how we think about BSF.

• Sofia Katzin urged us to focus on substrate physics, microbial shifts, and smarter breeding strategies.
• Sofronios Zafeiriadis presented research on year-round BSF rearing in Mediterranean greenhouses, emphasizing insects as “living bioreactors” capable of producing not only protein, but also lauric acid, omega-3s, and antimicrobial peptides.

👉 Takeaway: The future of BSF lies in unlocking functional bioingredients, not just bulk protein.

📖 Further Reading: LCA Study from Protix & DIL

⚖️ Policy & Regulation: Unlock or Drag?

Regulation continues to be both a driver and a barrier.

• Dora Luetic highlighted landfill bans as a key regulatory driver for insect waste management.
• Stefan Diener flagged the Eurocentric nature of current policies.
• Sofia Katzin encouraged pragmatism: “Don’t wait for regulators to adapt — find areas where you fit.”
• Olympia Yarger, as quoted by Roko Bošnjak, simplified it: “You’re growing animals, so follow the rules for growing animals.”

👉 Takeaway: Success depends on aligning with existing frameworks while pushing regulators to keep pace.

🌍 Global Expansion: Africa and Asia Step Forward

While Europe debates regulation, other regions are moving ahead.

• Piotr Barczak shared results from feasibility studies in Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ethiopia: strong potential for waste valorization, GHG savings, and local economic growth.
• Ruilong Zheng emphasized China’s growing role, inviting the sector to the China International Insect Protein & Mealworm Conferences this November.

👉 Takeaway: The global south and Asia are poised to become major growth hubs — cost efficiency and regulatory flexibility give them an edge.

🙌 A Sector That Learns Faster Together

The official BSFCON closing note thanked attendees and urged the community to keep the conversation alive.

That spirit of openness was echoed across posts: from corporate leaders to young researchers, voices converged on a shared theme — the BSF industry is learning faster when it learns together.

At SoldierFlyHub, we’re committed to amplifying those voices and connecting the dots between science, business, policy, and global growth.

📢 Stay tuned for our full resource hub — featuring reports, academic highlights, and global event updates.