The seaweed industry is one of the most promising industries in the Philippines today. Seaweed or its derivatives (carageenan) is among the country’s top 10 exporter winners with a market that is continuously expanding.

The industry has high upstream and downstream growth potentials. The upstream side which involves seaweed production is most crucial because at present, total output is not sufficient to serve the requirements of local processors. The expansion and development of new production areas can be fully explored to contribute in alleviating poverty and employment problems among marginalized fisher folks.

On the downstream side, the versatility of carageenan a product opens a lot of opportunities for product expansion and diversification.

The Philippines is considered a major player of the seaweed industry in the global market. It is the third largest producer of eucheuma seaweed, next to China and Japan.

Carageenan has a broad range of application. It is mainly used as gelling, stabilizing, thickening ans suspending agent for industrial food like ice cream, yogurt and other cold milk products, beer processing aid, meat processing and industrial non-food like pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, paints and pigments, air-freshener gel, fertilizers, jet brake fluids and toothpastes.

Since most of the municipalities in the province of Davao Oriental are located along the coastline, seaweed industry is a potent source of livelihood for the community. The province still has vast potential areas for development, considering water suitability and other environmental parameters required for fast growth.