Black Soldier Fly Emerges as Sustainable Protein Source in Agriculture Research

A new study published in Future Foods explores the economic, environmental, and operational dimensions of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) production, a sustainable source of protein that converts organic waste into valuable products. According to researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, BSF production requires minimal resources compared to traditional livestock and generates significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the importance of supportive regulations, continued research investment, and strategic supply chain development.

Key Takeaways:

• BSF production requires minimal resources compared to traditional livestock, generating significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions (about 0.017 kg CO -eq per kg protein versus 57-500 kg CO -eq per kg protein for livestock).
• Diverting 1 % of global food waste to BSF production could yield an estimated 332,000 metric tonnes of protein annually and 1 million metric tonnes of organic fertilizer.
• The study identifies critical factors shaping supply chain design and environmental impacts, including configurations such as vertical integration, distributed systems, and nucleus-plasma models.
• The researchers stress the need for supportive regulations, continued research investment, and strategic supply chain development to optimize scalability and sustainability.
• BSF production is a promising solution for addressing the global food waste and protein needs, with potential applications in various industries, including agriculture, food production, and waste management.

Statistics:

• BSF production emits about 0.017 kg CO -eq per kg protein versus 57-500 kg CO -eq per kg protein for livestock.
• Diverting 1 % of global food waste to BSF production could yield an estimated 332,000 metric tonnes of protein annually.
• BSF production could generate an estimated 1 million metric tonnes of organic fertilizer annually.
• The study explores configurations such as vertical integration, distributed systems, and nucleus-plasma models, which shape supply chain design and environmental impacts.

Sources:

• Future Foods. (2025). From waste management to protein innovation: Black soldier fly as an embodiment of the circular bioeconomy. 11(), 100592. doi: 10.1016/j.fufo.2025.100592
• NewsRx. (2025). Research from Hebrew University of Jerusalem Reveals New Findings on Agriculture (From waste management to protein innovation: Black soldier fly as an embodiment of the circular bioeconomy). Food Weekly News, p. 327.