The value of seaweed exports during January-October 2021 period rose 20.42% year-on-year (yoy) to US$177,99 million, and followed by growth on export volume about 11.68% year-on-year (yoy) to 159,590 tons compared to the same period in 2020 with volume 142,900 tons, based on a study by IEB Institute (Indonesia Exim Bank Institute) which release on December 27th 2021.

The type of Indonesian seaweed whose sales increasing in the global market is Eucheuma Cottonii about 71.59% share of total exports, which used as raw material for carrageenan. Meanwhile, Gracilaria sp. come next with 11.89% share, which used as raw material for agar-agar.

Meanwhile, for export destination market China dominated by 82.36%, South Korea 5.25%, Chile 3.20%, Vietnam 2.09%, and France 1.97%.

And South Sulawesi become Indonesia’s largest seaweed source as 47.95% of the export from this province, followed by East Java on 26.60%.