Khyber Group, a company valued at nearly 650 crore rupees operating in various sectors including hospitality and cement production, has already invested 112 crore rupees in Khyber Aquaculture.
According to a high-ranking official, the Jammu and Kashmir-based Khyber Group intends to increase its trout farming business almost fourfold, aiming for a revenue of 38 crore rupees by the 2027 fiscal year, while also investing 60 crore rupees in the coming years.
The group is also expanding Himalayan trout production, viewing the hospitality sector as a primary driver of growth. Yunus Trumbo, Director of Khyber Aquaculture, stated that the firm, located in Ganderbal, manages an eight-acre facility on the banks of the Indus River in Ahale, Kangana, and plans to expand production capacity from the current 1,200 metric tons to 5,000–7,000 metric tons over the next five years.
Trumbo said the company's goal is to position Himalayan trout as a domestic alternative to imported salmon for elite hotels, restaurants, and premium retail buyers in India. He also noted plans to attract chefs through workshops and retreats to increase the adoption of this fish in the HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, and catering).
Furthermore, the company plans to develop in the B2C segment by partnering with major retail chains and appointing distributors. The group started its trout farming business in the 2026 fiscal year and earned a revenue of 10 crore rupees in the previous fiscal year.
According to Trumbo, India is the second-largest fish producer in the world, but the premium freshwater fish segment remains underdeveloped. Currently, aquaculture is limited to certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, and historically dominated by a small number of scattered farmers, which limits the industry's ability to supply fish in the volume and scale required by institutional buyers.
He emphasized that Khyber Aquaculture is not just expanding its business but initiating a sustainable blue economy in the region. The main objective is to bring high-quality, responsibly produced aquaculture raw materials to the market while creating reliable economic opportunities for local communities.
The company is implementing Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology to increase output while minimizing environmental impact. Trumbo noted that with technological support such as RAS, they are expanding their presence, reducing the ecological footprint, thereby proving that commercial viability and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Trumbo also reported on the company's global ambitions. Expansion beyond the domestic market is planned. Khyber Aquaculture aims to set a new standard for modern, technologically advanced aquaculture by integrating smart data, precision feeding, and advanced water resource management, and soon become the largest producer of Himalayan trout in Asia. The company is also investing in cold chain infrastructure to ensure quality control.