Belize bets on the production of seaweed, a business controlled by China

Even though China is the owner of the blue economy, for several years Belize has had a plan to produce seaweed used in the manufacture of food, medicines, cosmetics, fertilizers and biofuels.

And that big bet is because Belize wants to keep a part of the seaweed business, which is valued at 15 million dollars. But it has China as the largest producer of the raw material. In this business Belize is accompanied by experts.

“The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has been helping the Government of Belize develop sustainable seaweed farming,” says Alex Sanchiz, project development officer for the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF).

The emerging seaweed industry addresses environmental, nutritional and economic challenges, but is positioned as a crucial player in the sustainable future of agriculture, energy and industry for Belize, added the Inter-American Development Bank official in Barbados.

As research and development advances, the multifaceted benefits of seaweed underscore its importance in shaping a sustainable future.

Behind the project to boost the seaweed business is the Caribbean Competition Partnership Mechanism (MCPC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE).

Worldwide there was a production of 35 million tons of algae, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

China grew 75 percent of the world’s seaweed, Indonesia produced 9 percent, South Korea grew 2 percent of the food, and the Philippines made 2 percent of the product. The FAO estimates the seaweed market at 15 billion dollars.

Alex Sanchiz says seaweed production increases the competitiveness of the sector, supports fishermen’s employment and empowers their women and other groups in fishing communities that are being displaced by the effects of climate change in Belize.

Seaweed production also helps foster the development of Belize’s seaweed mariculture industry by empowering communities through capacity building and knowledge sharing, and developing a mariculture financing scheme. that is underway.

“This will support national efforts to attract capital for the development of the seaweed industry, maintain high product quality through certifications such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council (ASC-MSC), Friends del Mar, or USDA Certified Organic, and ensure the effective use of channels to reach international markets,” comments the project development officer for the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility.

He adds that the sustainable development of aquaculture is essential to meet the growing demand for seafood.

“As Belize’s seaweed mariculture industry awakens, the creation of jobs in cultivation, processing and research will contribute to the development of the blue economy,” he says.

Despite current challenges – such as the cost of equipment needed to automate harvesting and drying, and the relative lack of investment and specific regulatory frameworks in some countries – this burgeoning industry has the potential to boost local incomes, ensure food security and improve environmental health by relieving pressure on wild fish and algae populations, he concludes.