Phi out to regain stature as top seaweed exporter

Boosting local seaweed output to regain the country's stature as the world's top exporter of the commodity would require expanding production areas by 85,000 hectares, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

- JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

The DA said it is considering increasing its support for the domestic production of seaweed, the second largest export earner in the aquaculture industry.

"We really need to support the industry. Indonesia has already surpassed our production... but we still have an 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 yesterday. The DA noted that in 1990, the Philippines accounted for 80 percent of the world's seaweed requirement while Indonesia only produced 10 percent. But since then, Indonesia has surpassed the Philippines in terms of seaweed production.