Regulatory approval paves the way for packaged Himalayan trout products, retail expansion and broader market access across India.
Khyber (K2) Aquaculture, one of India’s largest integrated Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)-based Himalayan trout farming and processing enterprises, has secured a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for its facility at Chak Akhal, Kangan, in Jammu & Kashmir. The approval marks a significant milestone in the company’s strategy to expand into premium retail, institutional and HoReCa channels.
The licence covers the manufacture, trade and retail of fish and fish products, providing the regulatory framework required for processing, packaging, storage and distribution of the company’s Himalayan trout products. The approval is expected to accelerate Khyber Aquaculture’s transition from a production-focused enterprise to a fully integrated farm-to-consumer brand.
The development strengthens the company’s value chain across hatchery operations, trout farming, processing, food safety, packaging, cold-chain logistics and retail distribution, creating a structured pathway to expand Himalayan trout consumption beyond traditional regional markets.
Commenting on the milestone, Yunus Trumboo, Director, Khyber Aquaculture, said, “Securing our FSSAI licence is an important step as we move into the next phase of our business. We have invested in building the production and processing infrastructure needed to grow trout at scale. Our focus now is to bring our sustainably farmed, clean and biosecure trout closer to consumers. We will also use Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), which uses a carefully controlled mix of carbon dioxide and nitrogen to help keep the trout fresh for longer.”
The company is now preparing to launch a portfolio of packaged Himalayan trout products in fresh, chilled and frozen formats. The initial range will include boneless skin-on portion cuts, Supreme Fillets and trout steaks, catering to both retail consumers and professional kitchens. Future plans include the introduction of ready-to-cook curry cuts, sushi-grade and sashimi products as the portfolio expands.
For the hospitality sector, Khyber Aquaculture will offer larger-format packs tailored to hotels, restaurants and catering operators. These will include a 3.2 kg Supreme Fillet pack containing four premium fillets designed for commercial food-service requirements.
The company said its trout products will be supported by robust traceability systems and cold-chain management. Fresh and chilled products are expected to have a shelf life of five to eight days, while frozen products can be stored for up to 12 months under prescribed storage conditions.
Khyber’s processing facility currently has a daily processing capacity of up to 10 tonnes and is supported by a production infrastructure capable of producing 1,200 metric tonnes annually. The company has outlined plans to scale capacity to 7,000 metric tonnes in the coming years.
The FSSAI approval comes ahead of the opening of the company’s first branded retail outlet at Karan Nagar in Srinagar. The store will offer live, fresh, chilled and frozen trout products, providing consumers with an end-to-end seafood experience.
“Consumers will also be able to select live trout and have it cleaned, cut and packed at the store,“ said Trumboo.
He further added, “This gives us a strong foundation to expand our retail and distribution presence while maintaining the quality and standards at the heart of our business.”
Looking ahead, the company plans to strengthen its distribution network across Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi-NCR and other key markets through retail, HoReCa and direct-to-consumer channels. Khyber Aquaculture is also pursuing Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification as part of its long-term strategy to enter international markets.
“Our immediate priorities include the launch of packaged trout SKUs, opening of our first branded retail store and expansion of the cold-chain and distribution infrastructure required to take Himalayan trout to a wider consumer market. We are also working towards obtaining the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification, which will be an important step in expanding our presence into global markets,” concluded Trumboo.
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