RI EXPORTING 145,000 TONS OF SEAWEED PER YEAR

Padang, W. Sumatra, April 9 (ANTARA) - Indonesia is the world's biggest dry seaweed exporter with its annual exports reaching 145,000 tons, or about 50 percent of the tropical world's total exports of 290,000 tons, an official said.

The total dry seaweed exports of tropical countries which is 290,000 tons accounted for 25 percent of the world's total seaweed exports of 1.2 million tons.

"Beside Indonesia, other tropical countries which export dry seaweed include the Philippines, which contributes 35 percent of the total tropical countries' exports of dry seaweed," chairman of Indonesia's Seaweed Commission, Farid Ma'aruoef, said here on Friday.

He said that initially seaweed was much produced by sub-tropical countries. In areas along the equator, seaweed began to develop in 1975.

In Indonesia, seaweed is mainly produced in South Sulawesi province with wet production accounting for 690,385 tons in 2008, followed by East Nusa Tenggara 566,495 tons, Central Sulawesi 208,040 tons and Bali 170,860 tons.

On a national scale, Indonesia's wet seaweed production reaches 1,94 million tons, only 15 percent of it is processed at home.

The problem now being faced in the development of seaweed in Indonesia is the availability of field guidance and quality seeds.