PH IN BIND TO RECLAIM WORLD’S TOP SEAWEED EXPORTER

The Philippines is seeking to regain its standing as the leading exporter of seaweed worldwide amid concerns raised by industry players.

In a statement over the weekend, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said industry stakeholders pointed out the limited support for the industry, lack of seedlings and logistics issues that make it challenging to export seaweed.

The country lost to Indonesia in 2007 after enjoying the top spot for more than a decade.

In the 1990s, the Philippines accounted for 80 percent of the world’s requirements until Indonesia came barreling with production of more than five times. While it hit a record high of 1.8 metric tons in 2011, the Philippines went on to battle pests, disease outbreaks as exacerbated by climate change in the next few years.

“[We] still have unutilized area of 85,000 hectares. Until we reach that, we shouldn’t stop. If possible, we should accelerate the industry’s area expansion,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

The DA vowed to scale up support for the industry by providing seedlings, implements, lines, floaters and counterweights to help local farmers unlock more export opportunities.

For a total investment of P1 billion covering large tissue culture laboratories, dryers, warehouses and training more technicians, a harvest could result in 10,000 tons worth P550 million in just a year alone.

More ports and power plants should be constructed to ease production costs, the DA said. Seaweeds are mostly produced in Mindanao while processing facilities are located in Cebu and Manila.