The global carrageenan industry

Abstract

This chapter explores the long-term drivers of carrageenan demand, production and trade at the international level. It begins by describing the carrageenan market, including its position relative to other major hydrocolloids, the applications for which it is used, the types and grades of carrageenan available, and the geographic distribution of carrageenan use. The demand for carrageenan is driven primarily by the meat and dairy industries, but there is also growth in a range of sectors including pharmaceuticals and personal care products. The chapter then explores processes in carrageenan production and the intense market and technological competition in the sector. Finally, it explores the changes in the global trade of both the inputs (seaweed) and outputs (carrageenan of different kinds). Trade patterns reflect the concentration of production in two countries (Indonesia and the Philippines) and the concentration of processing in three countries (China, the Philippines and Indonesia). The Indonesia-China nexus holds centre stage in the global industry, with direct implications for local-level actors in Indonesia.