Summary of Seaweed farming: an economic and sustainable opportunity for Europe

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The potential for seaweed farming to be a major economic and sustainable opportunity for Europe is great, but there are many obstacles to overcome. The most important factor for seaweed production is sunlight, and the farmers believe that fish and other creatures that live in the area are very happy with the seaweed. However, the market has not responded well thus far, and seaweed growers need to put more effort into convincing food producers to use it. Nevertheless, seaweed is growing in popularity, and as people become more familiar with its taste and nutritional benefits, the sector may grow more quickly.

• 00:00:00 Seaweed farming is an emerging industry that is growing in popularity in Europe. Dutch business consultant Rebecca Veering and American lawyer Jennifer Breton set out to make the food industry more sustainable, and they found seaweed farming to be a good option for doing so. Seavey's, a Dutch small farm, has made sustainability guiding philosophy and USP its guiding principles. Unlike cheaper imports, their seaweed is locally grown in a protected natural area with no added chemicals. The most important factor for seaweed production is sunlight, and the farmers believe that fish and other creatures that live in the area are very happy with the seaweed.
• 00:05:00 Seaweed farming has the potential to become a major economic and sustainable opportunity for Europe. However, there is a lot of investment needed in order to go to mechanized systems, and governments need to support legislation and funding as well. Meanwhile, regulation can make it difficult to obtain farming permits. Seaweed growers are pinning their hopes on a new EU strategy called farm to fork, which aims to accelerate the economic transition to fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food systems. They are also selling their seaweed directly to consumers, working with food manufacturers to provide them with dry flakes which factories can easily use. However, the market has not responded well thus far, and seaweed growers need to put more effort into convincing food producers to use it. Nevertheless, seaweed is growing in popularity, and as people become more familiar with its taste and nutritional benefits, the sector may grow more quickly.