World seaweed utilisation: An end-of-century summary

The data for worldwide seaweed production for the years 1994/1995 are summa rised. At least 221 species of seaweed were used, with145 species for food and 101 species for phycocolloid production. 2,005,459 t dry weight was pro duced, with 90% coming from China, France, UK, Korea, Japan and Chile. 1,03 3,650 t dry weight was cultured with 90% coming from China, Korea and Japan . Just four genera made up 93% of the cultured seaweed: Laminaria (682,581 t dry wt), Porphyra (130,614 t dry wt), Undaria (101,708 t dry wt) and Grac ilaria (50,165 t dry wt). The value of the harvest was in excess of US $ 6. 2 billion. Since 1984 the production of seaweeds worldwide has grown by 119 %.