About DMF About Seaweed Word of Growers Subscription of Seaweed Cultivation Why DMF News & Events Home : Seaweed Information : Why Seaweed Print Advantages Of Seaweed Cultivation In Malaysia Good Quality, Demand Exceeds Supply Currently, other countries like South Korea, Mexico, the Philippines and Japan are also producing seaweed, but of lower grades (Grades 15-30), whereas in Sabah, our seaweed is recognised worldwide as being of higher grades (Grades 30-45). There is a shortage of such high grade seaweed being supplied to the market. Global Market Trend of the Seaweed Eucheuma Cottonii Due to high demand, the price of seaweed has appreciated by an average rate of 18.36%, from USD 700 in 2003, to USD 1600 in 2010. At this rate of value appreciation, seaweed is comparable to GOLD. Endless Business Opportunities Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, Sabah is required to produce 250,000 tonnes of seaweed annually by the year 2010. However, up till now, Sabah’s seaweed production only amounts to 40,000-50,000 tonnes. Related Link: One Malaysia – Seaweed will helps to prospel the economy http://www.1malaysia.com.my/index.php?option=com_conten & view=article&id=550%3Athree-economic-concepts-to-propel-msia-najib&catid=1%3Alatest-news FELDA ventures into seaweed http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/21/nation/20091121155411&sec=nation Several Production Cycles a Year The process from culturing to harvesting only takes 45 to 60 days! 6-8 harvests a year 90g seaweed grows to 1.0kg in 45 days. The Government Giving Strong Support to the Seaweed Industry Related Link: The Budget 2011 Speech by YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister, and the Minister of Finance introducing the Supply Bill (2011) in the Dewan Rakyat on 15 October 2010 - Transformation towards a developed and high income nation. Invigorating Agriculture Sector: 35. The Government allocates RM3.8 billion in 2011 to increase productivity and generate higher returns in the agriculture sector. For this, the following measures will be taken: Third: Encourage farmers participation in high value agriculture activities, including swiftlet nests, aquaculture, seaweeds, ornamental fish as well as herbs and spices with an allocation of RM135 million for basic infrastructure. http://www.1malaysia.com.my/?s=financial+report+plan+9+-+agriculture+seaweed FELDA ventures into seaweed http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/21/nation/20091121155411&sec=nation Demand Exceeds Supply In the Global Seaweed Market     - only 20% to 25% produced in the world - Dried seaweed is a high demand product due to its multipurpose uses. - Currently, only few countries, i.e. Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, are able to produce the Eucheuma Cottonii, a high quality seaweed species. Related Link: One Malaysia – Seaweed will help to propel the economy http://www.1malaysia.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=550%3Athree-economic-concepts-to-propel-msia-najib&catid=1%3Alatest-news&lang=en 2010 Malaysia budget – To advance agricultural sector, government will allocate RM149 billion in food farming, one of the food types being seaweed http://www.1malaysia.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4408%3Adewan-rakyat&catid=34%3Aspeeches&Itemid=99&lang=en FELDA ventures into seaweed http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/21/nation/20091121155411&sec=nation