Why Demand For Seaweed Is About To Boom

Seaweed is used in more than just sushi. It can be found in almond milk, baby food and lotion. Kelp is used in medicine, animal feed, fertilizer and even as a biofuel. That's why the commercial seaweed market size could surpass $85 billion by 2026, according to Global Market Insights. Seaweed farmer Bren Smith says all one needs to start in the business is $20,000, twenty acres and a boat, and that investment in a single seaweed farm can net up to $90,000 to $120,000 per year. Here’s why the global demand in seaweed is expected to boom in the coming years.

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[SS-gztc]

As an Asian you could eat rice with salt and seaweed only

[johnpossum]

Plenty of people have tried to awaken the US people about seaweed being a great food source. The inventor of the Spirulina company actually had goals of stoping starvation on Earth altogether, but it never happened. Maybe now is the time? People are more open to change & technology like electric cars have proven that.

[alphaapple]

For those who are familiar with the metric system:
At 0:12: "Just below the water, thousands of shellfish and hectares upon hectares of seaweed are growing."
At 1:44: "As for what it takes to farm seaweed, all you need is $20, 000, 8.1 hectares of water and about a single seaweed farm can net up to $90, 000 to $120, 000 a year."
At 6:22: "There's a low barrier to entry because we grow things that don't swim away and you don't have to feed, the overhead is extremely low. It takes basically twenty to fifty thousand dollars, depending on the area to start a farm, you need a boat and 8.1 hectares to be up and running."
At 7:44: "For example, a processing plat costs about $1.3 million. That plant would allow a farmer to process 910, 000 kilograms of seaweed (910 metric tons) a year."
At 9:44: "For example, the first ingredient in this moisturizer from La Mer is algae extract 56.7 grams of this lotion retails for $345."
At 11:30: "The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that seaweed biofuel can yield more energy per hectare than land crops, like corn."

[agriperma]

I been using seaweed based foliar fertilizer for some time now. it works as a natural bio-stimulant, it's like a multivitamin for plants.

[tasmanmillen]

I agree with all of it, except “biofuel”. Let’s be honest. Right now, we are nowhere near the technology needed to make biomass into reliable, usable, and efficient fuel. The potential is there, but for now it’s still basically sci-fi.

Turning to sustainable seafood is a very good solution to many problems, but not power or fuel yet.

[RandyLy]

Everyone's all talking about planting more trees to take in carbon dioxide. I'm all for that, but when you think about the fact that the world is 70%+ ocean, seaweed can have a much greater impact.

[JacobAnawalt]

Sure, just like only “extra” and “left over” corn is used for biofuels & gas additives... in reality it competes for supply and with the help of subsidies and mandates raises the price of everything corn related, including meat.

[MidnightFox]

Me: *continues eating seaweed while watching*

[mattingray]

Don't know what people are talking about, but I love seaweed. That is the first one I go for at any Asian buffet restaurants. Damn good.

[eb]

I remember as a kid watching the huge ships off the coast making noise. When I asked what they were doing I was told the were harvesting kelp. I later learned about agar used to thicken toothpaste & paint.

[owlthepirate]

I wonder if you can grow it somewhere besides in the ocean? Like a big pool or something 🤔

[callmelady]

I love seafood soup, in my ramen and as broth base. So so good😍

[jasonfoster]

I love seaweed! Especially seaweed salad Mmm

[nigelwest]

"it's of the sea but it's not a fish"😂😂

[someguy]

I eat a vegan diet and take a supplement made from algae (seaweed) that ensures that I get enough Omega-3 in the form of DHA. Getting your DHA from fish could also include pollutants like PCB's mercury, and microplastics. I also eat plant sources of ALA Omega-3 which the body converts to DHA, but I like to be sure I get enough.

[colecoley]

I live right on the river and the seaweed has totally diminished to almost none

[beddythecorgi]

Dried w Wasabi it's delicious and a great switch from fatty potato chips

[JoseGuzman-stcc]

any seaweed stocks I should look into or?

[someguy]

Seaweed is a great way to flavor vegan dishes.
Omega 3 supplements, like DHA made from algae, is a better alternative to fish oil.

[paulbrown]

Also, how does one go about buying 20 acres of underwater land?