AquaVanta Harvests — Operations Plan
AquaVanta employs a hybrid aquaculture production model combining two complementary systems:
Section 5 · Business Plan
Operations Plan
AquaVanta employs a hybrid aquaculture production model combining two complementary systems:
A greenfield catfish aquaculture operation in Limpopo, scaling production to capture rising domestic and regional demand.
5.1 Production System Design
AquaVanta employs a hybrid aquaculture production model combining two complementary systems:
Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)
The RAS component consists of indoor, climate-controlled tanks with automated water filtration, biofiltration, oxygenation, and temperature management systems. RAS enables high-density stocking (up to 100kg/m³), precise environmental control, year-round production consistency, and significantly reduced water consumption (95% water recycling). Approximately 60% of total production volume will be produced through RAS during Phase 2.
Earthen Pond System
The pond component utilises lined earthen ponds of approximately 0.25–0.5 hectares each, operating in a semi-intensive mode with supplementary feeding and aeration. Ponds offer lower capital intensity, reduced operating costs, and natural biological filtration. Ponds will account for approximately 40% of total production at full capacity.
5.2 Production Capacity & Phasing
| Phase | Tonnes/Year | Infrastructure | Notes |
| Phase 1 (Year 1–2) | 120 | 4 x RAS tanks + 6 ponds | Initial commissioning; market validation |
| Phase 2 (Year 3) | 300 | 8 x RAS tanks + 10 ponds | Scale-up following offtake confirmation |
| Phase 3 (Year 4–5) | 380–450 | 12 x RAS tanks + 14 ponds | Full capacity; export market entry |
5.3 Growth Cycle & Harvest Schedule
African catfish reach market weight of 1–2kg within 6–8 months from fingerling stage (approximately 5–10g at stocking). AquaVanta will operate a staggered stocking programme to ensure continuous harvest availability:
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New batches stocked every 6–8 weeks to maintain rolling harvest cycles
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Target survival rate: 85–90% (industry benchmark: 75–85%)
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Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) target: 1.2–1.5 (RAS) and 1.5–1.8 (ponds)
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Harvest frequency: fortnightly during peak production months
5.4 Key Input Requirements
Feed represents the single largest cost input, accounting for approximately 52% of total operating costs at steady state. AquaVanta will negotiate volume-based supply agreements with two to three feed manufacturers (including Nutri-feeds and Aller Aqua) to manage procurement risk and secure competitive pricing.
Other critical inputs include fingerlings (sourced internally from the on-site hatchery), electricity (supplemented by a 200kW solar PV installation to mitigate load-shedding), water (borehole with municipal backup), and skilled aquaculture technicians.
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