Indonesia's Seaweed Export Ban Could Harm Domestic Industry
A proposed nationwide ban on seaweed exports in Indonesia, aimed at boosting domestic processing, risks reducing national production and farmer income.
- Indonesia, the world's second-largest seaweed producer, plans to introduce a nationwide export ban on seaweed, following a provincial ban in 2022.
- The ban is intended to encourage investment in domestic seaweed processing, but research suggests it could adversely impact domestic production and farmer livelihoods.
- Seaweed farming is a major industry in Indonesia, supporting the livelihoods of around 62,000 farmers and contributing US$1.89 billion annually to marine aquaculture production.
- An export ban could lead to lower commodity prices, pushing farmers towards other sources of income and reducing national seaweed production.
- Despite the intention to support domestic processors, the ban may not effectively enable them to compete with large, foreign-owned companies operating in Indonesia.
The Conversation 
