As the world grapples with the continued rise of plastic pollution across marine and freshwater ecosystems, developing economies such as the Philippines are ramping up the production of non-plastic alternatives, with seaweed as a major source.

In its latest global trade update, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) pointed out that plastics make up around 80 percent of ocean pollution, covering large garbage patches to microplastics that threatens marine ecosystems.

It is estimated that 75 to 199 million metric tons (MT) of plastics are present in the ocean, with an additional eight to 10 million MT being added each year.

Despite the serious threat it poses to marine ecosystems and human health, plastic materials and plastic-based goods continue to be robust. In fact, it accounted nearly four percent of global trade in 2022, reaching a record $1.2 trillion.

Given its significant risks, many countries are slowly shifting their priorities into becoming more sustainable, particularly aligned with efforts to curb climate change.

UNCTAD said there is an upward trajectory in the exports of non-plastic substitutes such as natural fibers, biomaterials, and glass.

It noted that in 2022, global trade in substitutes reached $560 billion, rising 30-percent faster than plastic trade between 2005 and 2022.

Developing economies, including the Philippines, accounted for 42 percent of the exports of these alternative goods.

Majority of these countries are harnessing seaweed, which can be transformed into a substitute to plastic, such as food packaging.

UNCTAD data showed that the global seaweed industry has steadily grown over the past two decades, reaching more than 36.3 million MT of wet weight by 2022.

Trade in seaweed and other algae, whether fit for human consumption or other uses nearly doubled between 2012 and 2022, jumping from $677 million to $1.2 billion.

With seaweed accounting for half of global marine aquaculture production by volume, China led the list of the top seaweed-producing countries by production volume, reaching 22.4 million MT.

Neighboring country Indonesia ranked second with 9.2 million MT.

The Philippines is not far behind, producing 1.5 million MT, only behind South Korea with 1.7 million MT.

In the export front, UNCTAD said Indonesia topped the global seaweed trade in 2023, reaching $400 million. The country’s seaweed industry is valued at over $1 billion.

The Philippines, meanwhile, ranked eighth with $18 million. During the reference period, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the country produced 228,570 MT of seaweed, valued at $218.60 million.

The country’s low ranking is a steep fall from being the world’s top seaweed producer over a decade ago.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) previously noted that Indonesia overtook the top spot from the Philippines in 2009, when it produced 2.79 million MT of seaweeds, compared to the country’s 1.7 million MT.

Last year, seaweed production was estimated at 1.46 million MT, 11-percent lower than the 2023 output of 1.63 million MT.

With the growth potential in non-plastic alternatives, the government is ramping up its initiatives to strengthen the local seaweed industry.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an attached agency of the DA, earlier allocated ₱1.06 billion to fund this year’s implementation of the enhanced Philippine seaweed development program (EPSDP).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said last year that there is a “significant growth potential” for seaweed farming, especially with BFAR identifying 64,000 hectares (ha) for farming that could increase annual output by 50 percent.

UNCTAD, in its report, noted that the seaweed industry remains underdeveloped and underregulated, with challenges such as limited support, weak coordination, and the lack of standardization and dedicated governance.

To lead global efforts in strengthening the sector, the co-chairs of the Fifth UN Ocean Forum has proposed the creation of a UN seaweed task force.

UNCTAD said this task force would coordinate efforts to maximize support for trade, sustainable and equitable production, and multiple uses of seaweed.