In the fragrant April, with lush greenery and blooming flowers, Guangzhou is full of vitality. An international academic and industrial grand event on alternative proteins was held from April 10 to 12 at the Dingying Auditorium of South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou — the 25th Guangdong Zhonghengshan Forum: “2026 Third International Symposium on Feed and Food Insects and Sustainable Food Safety Solutions.”
The forum was guided by the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guangdong Province. It was hosted by South China Agricultural University and the Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture; organized by the College of Food Science, College of Animal Science, College of Plant Protection, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Guangzhou Dublin International College of Life Sciences and Technology of South China Agricultural University, and BioSource Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. It was specially co-organized by Future Protein (Hubei) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Aohua Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Dezi Gehart Instrument Co., Ltd., Weifang Xingmei Biotechnology Co., Ltd., and Shanxi Dingxin Biotechnology Co., Ltd. It was co-organized by the Guangdong Rural Revitalization Promotion Association, Institute of Animal Science of Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hechi University, Shenzhen University, Guangdong Foreign Language and Art Vocational College, Nanjing Yiqichen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Dongguan Rixin Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Guangdong Dacheng Innovation Technology Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou Yaoan Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Guangdong Megagenomics Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Niujing Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shandong Shunxinghui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Majorbio, Liaocheng Xinsheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shuaichuang Future Biotechnology (Huizhou) Co., Ltd., and Hubei Chongxiaochu Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. The symposium was also supported by the Insect Protein Industry Branch of the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce, the Entomological Society of Guangdong Province, the People’s Government of Chegang Town, Xinxing County, Yunfu City, Guangdong Province, Chen Keming Food Co., Ltd., Huazhong Agricultural University, Zhejiang University, Ocean University of China, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Ocean University, Westlake University, Shenzhen University, Anhui Agricultural University, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Hunan Agricultural University, Shandong Agriculture and Engineering University, Liaocheng University, Institute of Apicultural Research of CAAS, Institute of Zoology of Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Shanxi University, Institute of Highland Forestry of CAF, Institute of Animal Science of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang Sanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., Sericulture and Agri-Food Research Institute of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen Anruijie Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Shaoguan University, and Guilin Jiacheng Insect Breeding Co., Ltd.
As an important strategic partner, BioSource’s team has always adhered to an efficient, professional, and meticulous work style, deeply participating in core preparatory work such as conference promotion and resource coordination, and providing solid and reliable logistical support and all-around empowerment for the smooth holding of this forum.
Secretary-General of the Conference Yang Meiyan announced the start of the symposium; Chairman of the Preparatory Committee and Rotating Chairman of the National Black Soldier Fly Industry Alliance, Associate Professor Hu Wenfeng, presided over the opening ceremony.
At the opening ceremony, Professor Chen Letian, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of South China Agricultural University, delivered a welcome speech first. After that, Professor Qiao Shiyan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and from the College of Animal Science and Technology of China Agricultural University; Huang Jiangkang, Second-Class Inspector of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province; Ma Xusheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangdong Foreign Language and Art Vocational College; and Professor Lu Yongyue, Vice Chairman of the Entomological Society of China and Chairman of the Entomological Society of Guangdong Province, delivered speeches respectively.
Lu Meixiang, First-Class Inspector of the Hunan Provincial Women’s Federation and former Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Women’s Federation; Professor Wang Jun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Jiangsu University of Technology; Zhang Yangwu, Secretary of the Party Committee of the College of Food Science at South China Agricultural University; Professor Xu Zhenlin, Dean of the College of Food Science at South China Agricultural University; Chen Zhiyuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of the College of Animal Science at South China Agricultural University; Professor Xie Qingmei, Dean of the College of Animal Science at South China Agricultural University; Liu Aodong, Deputy Director of the Office of International Exchange (Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs) at South China Agricultural University; Tian Hong, Director of the Livestock Products Department of the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce; Hu Jiandang, Secretary-General of the Insect Protein Industry Branch of the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce; Wang Gaohua, President of Guangdong Red Coral Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; as well as leaders and guests from the Development Planning Office, Office of International Exchange, Office of Scientific Research, College of Animal Science, College of Food Science, College of Plant Protection, College of Natural Resources and Environment, and Guangzhou Dublin International College of Life Sciences and Technology of South China Agricultural University, attended the opening ceremony.
Yang Meiyan, Associate Professor at the College of Food Science, SCAU, and Secretary-General of the Conference.
Hu Wenfeng, Associate Professor at the College of Food Science, SCAU, Conference Chairman & Rotating Chairman of the National BSF Industry Alliance.
Professor Chen Letian, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of South China Agricultural University, stated that in recent years, relying on its disciplinary advantages, the university has achieved a series of results in fields such as insect resource utilization and sustainable food safety, and has formed an interdisciplinary team. In the future, the university will continue to deepen cutting-edge technological research in the field of insect protein, and looks forward to joining hands with global scholars and the industry to jointly contribute greater strength to ensuring food security.
Prof. Chen Letian, Vice President of SCAU, delivering a welcome speech.
Professor Qiao Shiyan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and from the College of Animal Science and Technology at China Agricultural University, stated that insects are an important resource in the protein supply system of the food chain. He expressed the hope that all parties will take this symposium as an opportunity to strengthen scientific research around key areas such as breeding, reproduction, feed formula optimization, and nutritional value evaluation, striving to achieve technological breakthroughs.
Professor Qiao Shiyan, CAE Member and professor of the College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University
Professor Qiao Shiyan, CAE Member and professor of the College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University
In his speech, Huang Jiangkang, the second-level inspector of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, stated that Guangdong Province has focused on cutting-edge fields such as insect protein and established a full-chain technology system covering breeding, cultivation, and product development. In the future, the Provincial Department of Science and Technology will continue to promote technological innovation and industrial application of new food resources such as insect protein.
Huang Jiangkang, Second-level Inspector of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology
Ma Xusheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangdong Foreign Languages and Arts Vocational College, introduced that relying on the Huamei Baking Center and the Wanyi Bread Industry-Education Center, his college has carried out research and development work on insect protein bread, pastries, and other products, helping Chinese-style insect protein Dim sum enter the international market.
Ma Xusheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangdong Foreign Language and Art Vocational College
Professor Lu Yongyue, Vice President of the Chinese Entomological Society and President of the Guangdong Entomological Society, stated that insect protein for feed and food is a new type of protein resource that is efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. He will continue to support basic research and application development of insect protein, promoting deep integration of industry, academia, and research.
Professor Lu Yongyue, Vice President of the Entomological Society of China and President of the Guangdong Entomological Society
At this symposium, over 300 experts, scholars, business representatives, industry managers, and graduate students from China, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Egypt, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, China, gathered in Ding Ying Hall to jointly explore the future direction of resource insect development and sustainable food security. The symposium covered a wide range of topics, including insect breeding, reproduction, breeding technology, environmental control, protein application, industrial policy, and research and development of microbial alternative proteins.
Group photo from the 3rd International Symposium on Forage and Edible Insects in 2026
Yin Yulong, CAE Member and researcher at the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xie Shouqi, researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, He Gen, professor at Ocean University of China, Zhang Dapeng, doctor at Shandong Agricultural Engineering College, Professor Huang Yongping from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Hu Jiandang, secretary general of the Insect Protein Industry Branch, Zou Yuxin, secretary of the Party Committee of Chegang Town People’s Government in Xinxing County, Yunfu City, Tian Wenli, researcher at the Honey Bee Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Siegfried Roth, professor at the School of Life Sciences, Shanxi University, Ye Xiaomei, researcher at the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhang Jibin, professor at Huazhong Agricultural University, Ju Feng, professor at Westlake University, Maria Teresa Capucchio, professor at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Torino, Nils Th. Grabowski, PhD candidate at the Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, Hanover University of Veterinary Medicine, Kashif ur Rehman, PhD candidate at the German Institute of Food Technology, Arya Rezaei Far, PhD candidate at Wageningen University & Research, Dennis Oonincx, PhD candidate at Wageningen University & Research, Tomer First, PhD candidate at Wageningen University & Research, and Dr. Angelos Katsanis, head of Production and R&D at FarmInsect GmbH in Germany, along with other domestic and international authoritative experts, gave keynote reports on frontier topics such as the feed utilization of black water flies, aquatic feed applications, insect nutritional regulation, and the resource utilization of organic waste.
The conference featured three parallel sub-forums, as well as an entrepreneur forum and a working meeting of the National Blackwater Fly Industry Alliance. Nearly 60 academic and industry presentations were held, covering topics such as genetic breeding, efficient breeding, disease prevention and control, full-chain development and multi-scenario applications of insect protein for feed and edible insects, as well as frontier fields such as alternative protein research and development, resource utilization of organic waste, and construction of a sustainable food safety system. The presentations systematically presented the latest scientific research progress and industrialization achievements, deeply analyzed the challenges and opportunities facing the industry’s development, and proposed targeted solutions for the coordinated development of “government-industry-university-research”.
On the afternoon of April 10th, the “2026 National Blackwater Fly Industry Alliance Working Meeting,” serving as a prelude to the conference, was held at Hongmantang, South China Agricultural University. With the core theme of “Promoting the Stable and Healthy Development of Blackwater Fly’s Domestic and Foreign Trade,” the meeting gathered experts from scientific research institutions nationwide, representatives of leading enterprises, local government officials, and key members of industry alliances. They engaged in in-depth discussions on key topics such as industrial standardization construction, technological innovation breakthroughs, cost reduction and efficiency improvement paths, market standardized operation, and international compliant development. They issued an industry proposal, forged a consensus on development, and injected strong momentum into the high-quality development of the blackwater fly industry.
Pre-work meeting for the international symposium: 2026 National Blackwater Fly Industry Alliance Working Meeting
The conference featured a special insect food tasting session, showcasing insect protein foods made from raw materials such as mealworms, silkworm pupae, crickets, and grasshoppers. These included insect protein-rich bread and cakes specially made by the School of Food at Guangdong Foreign Languages and Arts Vocational College for the tea break, as well as insect protein noodles, fried crickets, insect-fed chicken, insect eggs, and pork provided by companies such as Chen Keming Food, allowing participants to closely experience the industrialization achievements and future development direction of new proteins.
The on-site booth displays processed products of black water flies
On-site fried cricket tasting
Participants tasted insect-infused pork
Bread and cake made with mealworms and crickets powder
This international symposium aims to implement the national strategic deployment of “building a diversified food supply system, establishing a broad agricultural and food perspective, and developing food resources in an all-round and multi-channel manner”. Through in-depth exchanges and discussions with various sectors including industry, academia, research, and government at home and abroad, it provides valuable references and guidance for scientific research innovation and industrial application of forage and edible insects. At the same time, it further promotes the technological upgrading of resource insect development and sustainable food safety solutions, as well as high-quality development of the entire industry chain. Let us look forward to the fourth symposium in 2027 introducing more innovative achievements and industry breakthroughs.
Members of the organizing committee of the conference include Yang Meiyan (first from left), an associate professor from the College of Food Science and Technology, South China Agricultural University, Hu Wenfeng (second from left), and Li Xueling (first from right), as well as Tian Ling (second from right), a professor from the College of Animal Science
Unite and collaborate to safeguard the grand event – A tribute to the behind-the-scenes staff and volunteers of South China Agricultural University
Reference materials
- “The 3rd International Symposium on Forage and Edible Insects 2026 Held at South China Agricultural University, Showcasing Insect Protein Delicacies” https://www.scau.edu.cn/2026/0413/c17646a431911/page.htm
- “The National Blackwater Fly Industry Alliance Conference was successfully held | Uniting efforts to promote standardization, seeking healthy and stable development” https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/sr3LfXllSWk3LWV9qR83oQ
