10 World’s Largest Countries in Seaweed Production of 2019-There were 10countries in the world with the largest production of seaweed in 2021. This data was obtained from the FAO’s Report entitled “The Global Status of Seaweed Production, Trade, and Utilization”. This report was published in 2021. Based on the statistical data, these countries are the big players in the world of production and trade of seaweed with a long history of seaweed farming.
So far, as a human being, seaweed is a healthy and fiber-enriched food containing various essential vitamins and minerals (iron, iodine, aluminum, manganese, calcium, soluble nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur). In the world of science, especially biology, seaweed is classified as algae. In the field of taxonomy, more specifically, algae consist of 4 classes based on their color pigments, namely Rhodophyceae (red algae), Phaeophyceae (brown algae), Chlorophyceae (green algae), and Cyanophyceae (blue-green algae).
The Rank of World’s Largest Countries in Seaweed Production in 2019
| Ranks | Countries | Production of Seaweed |
|---|---|---|
| (Tonnes) | ||
| 1 | China | 20,296,592 |
| 2 | Indonesia | 9,962,900 |
| 3 | Korea, Republic of | 1,821,475 |
| 4 | Philippines | 1,500,326 |
| 5 | North Korea | 603,000 |
| 6 | Chile | 426,605 |
| 7 | Japan | 412,300 |
| 8 | Malaysia | 188,110 |
| 9 | Norway | 163,197 |
| 10 | Tanzania | 106,069 |
| Source : Global seaweed production, 2019 | ||
In our daily life, seaweed has multiple benefits for human beings such as cosmetics, the potential fuel source, and medicinal ingredients (anticoagulant, antibiotic, anti-hypertensive). There are so many positive benefits from seaweed. Of course, many countries are trying to produce this commodity in fulfilling the market demands. If it is related to published statistical data, there are several countries that have the largest seaweed production in the world. Here are some of the countries with the largest seaweed production in the world in 2015.
1.China
China is the world’s largest producer of seaweed in 2015. Its production that year reached 20.2 million tons. Brown algae / Saccharina japonica is the type most produced species of seaweed with reaching 51% of the total Chinese seaweed production.
There are three largest provinces in the country as seaweed production basis, namely Fujian, Liaoning, and Shandong. These provinces contribute 91% of total production in China. Fujian contributed 40.5% while Shandong contributed 33% and the remaining 17% came from Liaoning Province. Seaweed production in small parts also spread over in the provinces of Jiangsu, Guangdong, Hainan, and Zhejiang.
2.Indonesia
Indonesia was the second-largest producer of seaweed in the world in 2019. Its production that year reached 9.2 million tons. With a long coastline of 61,000 km and 17,000 islands, Indonesia has grown to become the second-largest seaweed producer in the world. Globally, seaweed production from Indonesia contributes 38% of the total global seaweed production. The distribution of seaweed farming spread across the islands of Sulawesi, Maluku, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, North Kalimantan, and East Java.
In contrast with the conditions of seaweed production in China, the focus of seaweed production in Indonesia is the genus of red algae, namely Eucheuma spp, Kappaphycus spp, and Gracilaria spp. Recently, the demand for seaweed for food and carrageenan from various countries increases. It can make boosting demand from the genus Eucheuma and Kappaphycus as raw materials. In 2015, the export value of Indonesian seaweed reached 211,872 tons with a total value of US $ 205 million.
3.South Korea
South Korea was the 3rd largest producer of seaweed in the world of 2019. Its production that year reached 1.8 million tons. According to data from FAO, the Republic of South Korea still has consistent production. Apart from meeting domestic needs, seaweed production is also used for export. In 2015, total exports reached 34,500 tonnes with a value of USD 222 million. Most export products are dominated by ready-to-eat seaweed products.
3.Phillipines
The Philippines is the 4th largest producer of seaweed in the world in 2019. Its production in that year reached 1.5 million tons. There are more than 800 species of seaweed in that country with the genus Eucheuma spp became the most widely cultivated and the genus of Caulerpa, Gracilaria, and Sargassum with small production. Based on the species, the most widely cultivated are Euchema cottonii and Euchema denticulatum.
Geographically, the Philippine seaweed cultivation area is in the southern part. Economically, the existence of this seaweed cultivation is able to support the livelihood of 500,000 people in that region. Based on the area of production, Mindanao Island is the largest area for seaweed production with have more than 50% contribution of the overall country production.
Source of Article 10 World’s Largest Countries in Seaweed Production of 2019 :
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2021. The Global Status of Seaweed Production, Trade, and Utilization – Volume 124, 2018. Accessed in https://www.competecaribbean.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Global-status-of-seaweed-production-trade-and-utilization-Junning-Cai-FAO.pdf. Seaweed Innovation Forum Belize
28 May 2021
