Abstract
Seaweed hydrocolloid markets continue to grow, but instead of the 3–5% achieved in the 1980s and 1990s, the growth rate has
fallen to 1–3% per year. This growth has been largely driven by emerging markets in China, Eastern Europe, Brazil, etc. Sales
of agar, alginates and carrageenans in the US and Europe are holding up reasonably well in spite of the recession. However,
price increases to offset costs in 2008 and 2009 have begun to have a dampening effect on sales, especially in markets where
substitution or extension with less expensive ingredients is possible. These higher prices have been driven by higher energy,
chemicals and seaweed costs. The higher seaweed costs reflect seaweed shortages, particularly for carrageenan-bearing seaweeds.
The Philippines and Indonesia are the dominant producers of the farmed Kappaphycus and Eucheuma species upon which the carrageenan industry depends and both countries are experiencing factors limiting seaweed production.
Similar tightening of seaweed supplies are beginning to show up in brown seaweeds used for extracting alginates, and in the
red seaweeds for extracting agar. The structure of the industry is also undergoing change. Producers in China are getting
stronger, and while they have not yet developed the marketing skills to compete effectively in the developed world markets,
they have captured much of their home market. China does not produce the red and brown seaweeds needed for higher end food
hydrocolloid production. Stocking their factories with raw material has led to the supply problems. Sales growth continues
to suffer from few new product development successes in recent years; although some health care applications are showing some
promise, i.e., carrageenan gel capsules and alginate micro-beads.
fallen to 1–3% per year. This growth has been largely driven by emerging markets in China, Eastern Europe, Brazil, etc. Sales
of agar, alginates and carrageenans in the US and Europe are holding up reasonably well in spite of the recession. However,
price increases to offset costs in 2008 and 2009 have begun to have a dampening effect on sales, especially in markets where
substitution or extension with less expensive ingredients is possible. These higher prices have been driven by higher energy,
chemicals and seaweed costs. The higher seaweed costs reflect seaweed shortages, particularly for carrageenan-bearing seaweeds.
The Philippines and Indonesia are the dominant producers of the farmed Kappaphycus and Eucheuma species upon which the carrageenan industry depends and both countries are experiencing factors limiting seaweed production.
Similar tightening of seaweed supplies are beginning to show up in brown seaweeds used for extracting alginates, and in the
red seaweeds for extracting agar. The structure of the industry is also undergoing change. Producers in China are getting
stronger, and while they have not yet developed the marketing skills to compete effectively in the developed world markets,
they have captured much of their home market. China does not produce the red and brown seaweeds needed for higher end food
hydrocolloid production. Stocking their factories with raw material has led to the supply problems. Sales growth continues
to suffer from few new product development successes in recent years; although some health care applications are showing some
promise, i.e., carrageenan gel capsules and alginate micro-beads.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10811-010-9529-3
- Authors
- Harris J. Bixler, Ingredients Solutions, Inc 631 Moosehead Trail Waldo ME 04915 USA
- Hans Porse, 2InterColloids Rodtjornevej 37 2720 Vanlose Denmark
- Journal Journal of Applied Phycology
- Online ISSN 1573-5176
- Print ISSN 0921-8971
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